Speaker of the National Assembly, Ayaz Sadiq, has called for the fourth meeting of the negotiation committees from both the government and the opposition.
The meeting is scheduled for January 28 and will be held in camera at Committee Room No. 5 of the Parliament House.
The session will be presided over by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. Official notices have already been issued for the meeting.
Opposition stance
Opposition leader Omar Ayub said the PTI will not participate in the fourth round of meetings between the negotiation committees of the PTI and government scheduled to be held on Jan 28.
Opposition leaders have strongly criticized recent legislative actions, claiming that new laws are being passed in Pakistan with little transparency and will be used as tools to suppress media and opposition voices.
Barrister Gohar stated that any legislation must adhere to the constitution, emphasizing that the current government is passing laws in a manner that disregards constitutional processes.
"This is the government of Form 47. 37 laws have been passed without proper debate," he said. He also highlighted the government's swift passage of 8 laws in just 11 minutes, without any reference from the President.
National Assembly opposition leader Omar Ayub condemned the passing of "black laws," stating that they would be used as weapons against the media and opposition parties. He said, "These laws will target media and the opposition, and ultimately, everyone will be affected."
He also pointed out the division created within the judiciary by the 26th amendment and criticized the government for controlling certain key entities. "When PTI announces a rally, they cut off our cable transmission in Pakistan," he added, referring to the control over media.
Shibli Faraz described the amendments to the PECA Act as draconian and a direct attack on media freedom. "These laws are not for Pakistan's betterment; they serve a specific agenda," he said, expressing concern about the international image of Pakistan. "This is a joke, and we are falling behind on human rights issues," Faraz added.
He also raised concerns about the growing number of people fleeing the country and the increasing loss of lives in boats. "Now, even breathing is regulated by laws," he said, criticizing the government's approach. Faraz also called out the silence of parliamentarians on these laws, labeling it shameful. "The government is introducing laws to strengthen its grip on power," he concluded.
