Opposition leaders in Pakistan have called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to personally invite them to participate in political talks. Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Chairman, criticised the government for stalling negotiations and imposing restrictions on parliamentarians.
Gohar said, "Our government went away while we kept negotiating with the government." The Chairman questioned the standards used to judge the loyalty of political leaders to the state, asserting, "We have always said that Pakistan comes first and the state comes first."
He advocated for the protection of parliamentarians to ensure they can represent their constituents freely, recalling an incident in September 2024 where opposition lawmakers were allegedly detained. A special committee was established to address the security and protection of these lawmakers.
Mahmood Khan Achakzai argued that the National Assembly must record the full duration of parliamentary speeches as a constitutional requirement. Achakzai alleged that his four-and-a-half-minute speech was misrepresented as a nine-minute address and claimed that the time available for opposition members has been reduced.
He also challenged the inconsistent way production orders for lawmakers are issued and stated that political dialogue requires a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan. Achakzai noted that Maulana Fazlur Rehman previously met the prime minister regarding this matter.
The lawmaker proposed a committee led by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif to investigate allegations of corruption against the current government. Achakzai said, "Negotiations cannot take place in an atmosphere where the process itself is being mocked."
He added, "It is the duty of every citizen who wants to save Pakistan to stand up for democracy." Allama Raja Nasir Abbas emphasised that progress for Pakistan depends on the rule of law, justice, and respect for the Constitution.
Abbas alleged that the people's mandate was stolen during the general elections held on 8 February 2024. Barrister Gohar Ali Khan clarified that Khan appointed Junaid Akbar as the provincial president.
Noorul Haq Qadri will chair provincial organisation meetings when Junaid is absent, while Ali Asghar Khan will manage other organisational matters. General Salman Akram Raja, Secretary, denied claims that non-functional K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was responsible for specific issues.
