ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have agreed to hold talks at the office of the Speaker of the National Assembly, marking a potential step toward political dialogue between the two rival parties.
The development came during Geo News’ current affairs program Capital Talk, where Minister of State Barrister Aqeel Malik formally invited PTI to engage in negotiations aimed at addressing political issues through dialogue.
Responding immediately during the live broadcast, PTI leader Shafqat Abbas Awan accepted the invitation and even requested the program’s host, senior journalist Hamid Mir, to serve as a witness to the agreement reached on air.
Barrister Aqeel Malik assured PTI that he would contact National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on the same day and request him to facilitate the immediate commencement of talks between the government and the opposition.
“I will speak to the Speaker today and ask him to arrange negotiations with PTI without delay,” the minister said, emphasizing the government’s willingness to engage in dialogue through the parliamentary forum.
Accepting the proposal, Shafqat Abbas Awan said PTI was fully prepared to participate in the discussions. He stated that the party would be represented by senior leaders, including Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Raja Nasir Abbas, and members of PTI’s senior leadership.
Awan added that PTI would attend the meeting wherever the Speaker deemed appropriate, whether at the Speaker’s Office or Committee Room No. 5 of Parliament House.
“We are ready to come for negotiations wherever we are asked—whether it is the Speaker’s office or Committee Room No. 5,” he said during the television program.
The announcement is being viewed as a potentially significant political development, as relations between the ruling coalition and PTI have remained strained over various political and constitutional issues. In recent months, both sides have frequently criticized each other, while repeated calls for dialogue had produced little practical progress.
The decision to use the Speaker’s office as the venue for negotiations reflects an effort to conduct discussions within the parliamentary framework. The National Assembly Speaker traditionally plays a neutral role in facilitating communication between government and opposition parties on parliamentary matters.
Although no formal agenda has yet been announced, the anticipated talks are expected to cover issues of mutual political concern. Neither side disclosed specific topics to be discussed during the initial meeting, but both indicated their willingness to begin the dialogue process.
Political observers have noted that direct engagement between the government and PTI could help reduce tensions if sustained through meaningful discussions. However, they also point out that the success of any negotiations will depend on both sides demonstrating flexibility and commitment to resolving their differences.
The live exchange on national television attracted considerable public attention, with both leaders publicly expressing readiness to initiate talks. By accepting the invitation immediately, PTI signaled its willingness to participate in discussions under the Speaker’s facilitation, while the government indicated its intention to formally initiate the process.
If the meeting takes place as planned, it will represent one of the latest attempts to revive dialogue between the country’s major political stakeholders through parliamentary channels. Further details regarding the timing, participants, and agenda are expected after the Speaker’s office is formally approached.
The proposed negotiations are expected to be closely watched by political parties, lawmakers, and the public, as they may influence the broader political environment and parliamentary cooperation in the coming weeks. Both sides have now publicly committed to attending the meeting, raising expectations that formal talks could begin shortly under the supervision of the National Assembly Speaker.
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