PML-N, PPP ready to negotiate 'elections in one go' with PTI
Pakistan
Political parties do not run away from dialogue, says Gillani
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Two main parties of the ruling coalition, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), on Monday agreed to negotiate with the political archrival Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on holding elections simultaneously in the country.
PPP delegation comprising former PM Yusuf Raza Gillani, Naveed Qamar, and Qamar Zaman Kaira called on PML-N delegation comprising Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, and Railways and Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique. Mr Gillani had also met with BAP leader Khalid Magsi before the meeting.
Talking to the media after meeting, Mr Gillani said that people were reeling though depression adding that there should not have been dividing lines between the parliament and the judiciary. “Political parties do not run away from dialogue,” he added. Politicians had the weapon of dialogue, he said, in their artillery.
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He went on to say that the parliament and the judiciary were at daggers drawn to each other. “A charter of democracy was inked between former PM from PPP Benazir Bhutto and former premier from PML-N Nawaz Sharif when their relations soured,” he added.
Former president from PPP Asif Ali Zardari handed over his powers to the parliament, he said.
Mr Sana said the PML-N fully endorsed the vision of the negotiating committee adding that only dialogue could steer the country out of quagmire in a democracy. “The country is facing crisis and only dialogue can improve the situation,” he added.
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He continued by saying that situation in 2014 fueled bitterness in behaviours adding that whenever the idea of dialogue was floated, it was met with abuses. “PPP has taken a commendable step,” he added. The PML-N, he said, agreed with the PPP’s stance.
The constitution also delineates things other than holding elections within 90 days, he said.
The minister said that the judiciary and the parliament were facing each other adding that this crisis could be harmful for the country. “Political parties should play their roles [in it],” he added.
