The Committee on National Dialogue has welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent invitation for political talks. The committee, which includes several prominent former leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), described the move as a positive initiative for the nation.
The group has formally requested the release on parole of senior PTI leaders currently imprisoned in Kot Lakhpat Jail. This request aims to facilitate a more inclusive and effective dialogue process.
The committee, comprising figures such as Fawad Chaudhry, Imran Ismail, and Mehmood Moulvi, submitted a specific demand. They seek the parole of five key PTI figures: former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr. Yasmeen Rashid, Mehmood ur Rasheed, Ijaz Chaudhry, and Umar Sarfaraz Cheema.
The committee argues that releasing these individuals is a substantive confidence-building measure. It states that these leaders could play a constructive role in the national dialogue once they are free.
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Fawad Chaudhry, a central figure in the committee, stressed the importance of tangible steps to build trust. He stated that the dialogue process cannot succeed without such measures.
“The release of these leaders on parole will bring a positive and pleasant vibe,” Chaudhry said in a public statement. He noted that this step would provide a strong foundation for restoring confidence across all political parties.
Chaudhry framed the potential impact in national terms. He suggested this confidence-building step could help steer the country away from division and toward unity and development. He called for all political parties to participate in the dialogue process in the national interest.
The Committee on National Dialogue has also taken steps to engage directly with the government. Members have requested a formal meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the path forward.
“We have requested a meeting with PM Shehbaz Sharif,” Fawad Chaudhry confirmed. “We are hopeful that the meeting with the PM will bring positive results.”
Reports indicate that members of the national dialogue committee are already in contact with various federal ministers. This ongoing communication suggests efforts to establish a preliminary framework for broader talks.
