Government and PTI Explore Dialogue as NA Speaker Shows Goodwill

In a major step toward breaking the political deadlock, federal government representatives and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders held a meeting on Wednesday at the National Assembly Speaker’s Office. The meeting focused on the possibility of initiating dialogue between the two sides — with Speaker Ayaz Sadiq extending a rare goodwill gesture by delaying a disciplinary move against a PTI lawmaker.

Sources confirmed that Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, along with Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, decided not to proceed with a resolution against PTI MNA Waqas Akram Shaikh, who has been absent from the House for over 40 days.

This decision was interpreted as a confidence-building measure to encourage the opposition toward dialogue.

During the closed-door meeting, the speaker reportedly stressed the need for political engagement to ease rising tensions. PTI’s delegation responded positively and agreed to take the matter back to their parliamentary party and senior leadership for further consultation.

A PTI insider said the party is “keen on exploring the talks option”, but any formal process will ultimately depend on the approval of party founder Imran Khan, who remains behind bars and continues to resist any direct dialogue with the ruling coalition.

In a parallel development, PPP leader Syed Naveed Qamar reached out to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and former speaker Asad Qaiser. Qamar urged them to consider political solutions, offering the PPP’s support in enabling PTI’s political normalization.

PPP and PML-N have reportedly assured PTI leadership that they are willing to assist in rebuilding working political relations — but only if the talks are structured and formal.

Sources note that PTI has missed several chances at political dialogue in the past due to Imran Khan’s insistence on only negotiating with the establishment, which has shown little interest in political mediation.

Although PTI’s parliamentary party reportedly supports fresh talks, insiders admit the “final call rests with Imran Khan.”