The federal government on Thursday formed a committee to hold talks with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership amid continuing political tensions and the party’s planned march on Islamabad.
The development comes after PTI postponed its planned September 27 protest until October 4, while tensions between the federal and provincial governments remain unresolved.
The decision was taken during a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at Aiwan-e-Sadr, according to a statement issued by the President House.
It was agreed that a joint delegation representing the federal government and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would meet PTI leaders on Friday to discuss the country’s current political situation.
The federal government will be represented by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and Amir Muqam.
The PPP delegation will comprise Sherry Rehman, Syed Naveed Qamar and Ejaz Jakhrani.
During their meeting, Zardari and Shehbaz also reviewed the country’s broader political and security situation, expressing particular concern over developments in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
The president and prime minister stressed the need to strengthen the national resolve against terrorism and improve coordination among relevant institutions to maintain peace and stability.
The high-level meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Rana Sanaullah, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan and Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Tauqir Shah.
PPP leaders Sherry Rehman, Saleem Mandviwalla, Sharjeel Inam Memon and Syed Nasir Hussain Shah were also present.