ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: In order to break the political impasse in the country, the direct talks between the government negotiating team and that of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) are to be held separately tonight.
The members of the political Jirga had a meeting with the negotiating team of the PAT in Islamabad on Wednesday afternoon, during which the PAT agreed to have direct talks with the government team in the presence of members of the Jirga.
The Jirga consisted of Amir Jamat-e-Islami (JI) Sirajul Haq, Rehman Malik, Liaquat Baloch, Farid Piracha, Kalsoon Parveen and Ghazi Gulab Jamal. The PAT included Raheeq Abbasi, Hamid Raza, Nasir Abbas, Khurram Nawaz Gandapur and Tariq Bashir Cheema.
The JI leader Sirajul Haq and Rehman Malik said following the meeting that the deadlock in dialogue is over. They said that the two sides are still sticking to their point of view but it is appreciable that they have agreed to talks directly.
Sirajul Haq said that the two sides would discuss the issues involved and the Jirga members would be there to facilitate in case there is some problem. He expressed the confidence that the two sides would demonstrate flexibility for finding a peaceful and negotiated settlement.
Rehman Malik said that they also urged the PAT team to evacuate the Parliament House premises and they have promised to consider it locating to the other side. He said that all political parties want to solve the problem through talks.
Meanwhile, speaking at the joint session of the parliament, the PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi also confirmed that their team would have talks with the government team tonight.
Talking to newsmen, member of the PAT negotiating team Raheeq Abbasi said they also want resolution of the political crisis at the earliest. He said that the PAT put forth its demands and proposals to the Jirga relating to Model Town incident, rigging, and agenda of reforms.
Abbasi said that they have proposed establishment of a National Reform Council. He said that tripartite talks among Jirga and government and PAT negotiating teams would be held at 10 tonight.
The Jirga members also had a meeting with the PTI negotiating team ahead of direct talks between the government and PTI teams. The PTI negotiating team included Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Pervaiz Khattak, Asad Omer, Arif Alvi, Shafqat Mahmood and Jehangir Tareen.
