Govt, opp move towards direct talks

The government and opposition appeared to be moving towards a direct political engagement on Friday amid efforts to arrange a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai. Contacts between the offices of the prime minister and opposition leader have begun in the wake of the premier's response to Achakzai's letter on the appointment of a new chief election commissioner. At the same time, consultations are under way to schedule a meeting between the two leaders. In a move potentially opening direct dialogue between the government and opposition, the prime minister has also invited Achakzai for mandatory consultations on the appointment of the new CEC. Achakzai has yet to respond to the invitation. In August, a government delegation comprising Prime Minister's Adviser Rana Sanaullah, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Tariq Fazal Chaudhry met Achakzai at Parliament House, with the two sides agreeing to hold further rounds of dialogue. Achakzai had sought the prime minister's direct involvement in discussions on political and constitutional matters. The immediate basis for the renewed contact is the appointment of a new chief election commissioner and two members of the Election Commission of Pakistan from Sindh and Balochistan. Achakzai had written to the prime minister on August 10, urging the government to initiate the constitutional process for filling the posts. According to reports, the premier assured the opposition leader that the constitutional procedure would be followed in making the appointments. Achakzai subsequently briefed Raja Nasir Abbas on the contents of the response, and the two agreed to share the development with other opposition leaders. Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq had also recently called for political harmony and stability and urged the prime minister to initiate dialogue with the opposition, suggesting that consultations on the appointment of the new CEC could provide a starting point for the process. A day earlier, the prime minister had sent a reply to opposition leader in the National Assembly regarding the appointment of a new chief election commissioner, sources said on Thursday. Meanwhile, reports indicated that PM Shehbaz Sharif had moved to open a channel for dialogue by inviting Achakzai to consultations on the appointment of a new CEC. However, the opposition leader has yet to respond to the invitation. The timing of the move was notable, with the invitation coming just days before the PTI-led long march towards Islamabad on September 27. It is pertinent to note that in a letter to the prime minister in August, Achakzai had urged the government to appoint a new chief election commissioner, along with two members representing Sindh and Balochistan. Similarly, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also recently called for political harmony and stability and urged the government to open a dialogue with the opposition.