Talks between the government and Pakistan Awami Tehreek [PAT] ended on an upbeat note on Tuesday, throwing up the possibility of the political stalemate ending in the next 24 hours.
Both groups, however, remained tightlipped about the “middle ground” that former interior minister Rehman Malik claimed was achieved.
Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal said both parties may reach an understanding today (Wednesday).
Several rounds of talks have remained unsuccessful has the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf [PTI] and PAT refused to budge from their demand for the prime minister’s resignation.
The meeting between the government team, comprising Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal and SAFRON minister Lt General Abdul Qadri Baloch and PAT leaders Raheeq Abbasi and Khurram Nawaz Gundapur was facilitated by the political jirga of the opposition parties. The venue for Tuesday’s meeting was Rehman Malik’s residence. Jamaat-e-Islami [JI] chief Sirajul Haq and Liaquat Baloch also joined the meeting.
Speaking with the media after the meeting, Ahsan Iqbal said the government had responded to PAT’s demands and talks were progressing. “We are taking one step forward and two steps back,” remarked Raheeq Abbasi.
Sirajul Haq expressed the hope that the crisis would be resolved in a peaceful manner. He said that there were several “speed bumps” in the way of the talks. Sources said a discussion over the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is under way. Though the entire political leadership of the country and parliament threw its weight behind the PM, there has not been any understanding about the CM’s resignation.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 10th, 2014.
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