Ex-NA speakers trying for negotiations between PDM, PTI

Federal Commerce Minister Syed Naveed Qamar has claimed that the former speakers of the National Assembly, Ayaz Sadiq and Asad Qaisar, are trying to kick-start negotiations between the ruling coalition and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Talking to the media in Hyderabad on Monday, he disclosed that Sadiq and Qaisar have even agreed to a date for holding a meeting between the leaders of the two sides. "Imran Khan is wrong to say that there has been no contact," he contended. "May Allah help us if you [Imran] are dragging your feet so early."

He also disclosed that the speakers have decided to meet on April 26. He expressed hope to see meaningful negotiations.

The federal minister said that the coalition parties do not seek an indefinite postponement of the general elections, adding that they want to see the elections taking place at the right time after completion of the tenure of the assemblies.

Qamar argued that the federal government had not committed contempt of court by not providing Rs21 billion funds to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for conducting the elections in Punjab. He added that the decision of not providing the funds was taken by the parliament which if not supreme is no less superior than the court.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25^th, 2023.