ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced the formation of a government negotiating committee to hold talks with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), following a recent statement from PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan.

Khan revealed that National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq had assured the establishment of a government team for dialogue. The newly formed committee includes key members from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and coalition parties. The committee comprises Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Prime Minister's advisor Rana Sanaullah Khan, Senator Irfan Siddiqui from PML-N, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Naveed Qamar from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui from MQM, Abdul Aleem Khan from the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, and Chaudhry Salik Hussain from Muslim League-Q.

Prime Minister Sharif expressed his hope that these negotiations would prioritize national security and the broader national interest. He emphasized, "If Pakistan exists, we all exist," and acknowledged the efforts of the National Assembly Speaker in facilitating the talks. However, PTI leader Omar Ayub criticized the government's seriousness regarding negotiations. Ayub claimed that the government had not allowed PTI's negotiation team to meet the party's founder in Adiala Jail.  He stated that the formation of a PTI team for talks was intended to ensure no one could claim the party had failed to establish a team for discussions. He further noted that leaders visiting the jail had faced legal repercussions. The formation of this committee marks a significant step in the ongoing political dialogue, with hopes for de-escalation and resolution between the government and PTI.