The National Dialogue Committee (NDC) has welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s offer to hold talks with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), urging the release of imprisoned senior PTI leaders to create a positive environment for meaningful dialogue.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the NDC—comprising Fawad Chaudhry, Imran Ismail, and Mahmood Maulvi—appreciated the government’s renewed offer of dialogue with the opposition.
The committee emphasized that successful and sustainable negotiations require confidence-building measures.
They requested that senior PTI leadership detained in Kot Lakhpat Jail, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, and former Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, be released on parole to effectively lead and participate in the dialogue process.
Political stability through dialogue
According to the NDC letter, such goodwill gestures would foster a trust-filled and positive environment, paving the way for fruitful negotiations. The committee urged all political parties to prioritize national interest and work toward a consensus on a comprehensive Charter of Democracy and Charter of Economy, ensuring long-term political stability and economic prosperity.
The NDC stressed that without confidence-building measures, the dialogue process cannot be successful or sustainable.
PM Shehbaz’s conditional acceptance
Earlier, PM Shehbaz Sharif conditionally accepted PTI’s request for talks, stating the government is willing to engage if the opposition demonstrates seriousness and commitment to political stability.
Addressing a federal cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister reiterated that while the government remains open to dialogue, illegal demands or blackmail under the guise of talks will not be entertained.
