LAHORE: After Asif Ali Zardari's proposal that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif should initiate 'unconditional' talks with opposition party Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari formed three-member body to persuade allies in government to start process with Imran-led party.

 According to PPP statement, Senator Yousuf Raza Gillani, Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar and PM's Adviser on Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira will "Engage with allies in coalition government to reach consensus on dialogue with all political parties".  Main task of three PPP leaders is to persuade PML-N and JUI-F to hold talks with PTI on all issues, including elections to end ongoing crises. Kaira said PPP is primarily concerned about "Deadlock" among political players.

 "First, we will speak to our allies and try to convince them on holding talks with opposition. Once we succeed in it then we will talk to PTI to respond to government's offer of dialogue," Kaira said. When asked if PML-N was reluctant to sit with PTI, Kaira said, "PM Shehbaz had earlier offered PTI Chief Imran Khan to sign charter of economy. It was because of Khan's response to that offer which made PML-N leadership bitter." Asked if establishment is playing any role to bring government and opposition on table, Kaira said, "I would say that we don't have blessings of establishment but every saner element would like to see dialogue between government and opposition so that ongoing crises come to an end."

 However, Sharifs do not want elections in Punjab on Supreme Court's order and therefore see no point in holding talks with PTI.  PPP's senior leader from south Punjab Haider Zaman Qureshi said his party believes that if mandated it can play positive role in convincing all players to sit together and sort out all thorny issues relating to elections and economy.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 15 2023

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