National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has clarified that no invitation has been extended to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for political talks, saying he has stopped discussing the possibility of dialogue.
Speaking to reporters at Parliament House on Friday, Ayaz Sadiq said his recent meeting with PTI leader Aamir Dogar was limited to National Assembly-related matters and did not involve discussions on political negotiations.
He added that if any conversation regarding dialogue took place between Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Aamir Dogar, he was not aware of it.
Despite denying any fresh invitation, the speaker reiterated that dialogue remains the best way to resolve political differences. He recalled that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had previously invited the opposition to hold talks through the parliamentary forum.
Ayaz Sadiq said opposition leaders were welcome to use the committee room in Parliament House if they wished to engage in negotiations, adding that he would even vacate his chamber if required.
His remarks come a day after the government renewed its call for political dialogue, with Federal Minister Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry stating that the government was prepared to hold talks at a venue proposed by PTI within Parliament House.
However, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan maintained that the government must first demonstrate genuine commitment, saying the party was not interested in symbolic meetings or photo opportunities and wanted meaningful negotiations with a clear agenda.National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has clarified that no invitation has been extended to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for political talks, saying he has stopped discussing the possibility of dialogue.
Speaking to reporters at Parliament House on Friday, Ayaz Sadiq said his recent meeting with PTI leader Aamir Dogar was limited to National Assembly-related matters and did not involve discussions on political negotiations.
He added that if any conversation regarding dialogue took place between Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Aamir Dogar, he was not aware of it.
Despite denying any fresh invitation, the speaker reiterated that dialogue remains the best way to resolve political differences. He recalled that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had previously invited the opposition to hold talks through the parliamentary forum.
Ayaz Sadiq said opposition leaders were welcome to use the committee room in Parliament House if they wished to engage in negotiations, adding that he would even vacate his chamber if required.
His remarks come a day after the government renewed its call for political dialogue, with Federal Minister Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry stating that the government was prepared to hold talks at a venue proposed by PTI within Parliament House.
However, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan maintained that the government must first demonstrate genuine commitment, saying the party was not interested in symbolic meetings or photo opportunities and wanted meaningful negotiations with a clear agenda.
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