{"id":15273,"date":"2023-10-18T02:23:04","date_gmt":"2023-10-18T02:23:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/grand-dialogue-floated-to-revive-ptis-fortunes\/"},"modified":"2023-10-18T02:23:04","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T02:23:04","slug":"grand-dialogue-floated-to-revive-ptis-fortunes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/grand-dialogue-floated-to-revive-ptis-fortunes\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Grand dialogue\u2019 floated to revive PTI\u2019s fortunes"},"content":{"rendered":"

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ISLAMABAD \/ LAHORE: Almost a week after President Arif Alvi urged stakeholders to end bitterness to pave the way for democracy, the PTI on Tuesday proposed a \u2018Grand National Reconciliation Dialogue\u2019 among all stakeholders, while its leaders separately called on the president and the caretaker information minister.<\/p>\n

According to a statement by the President House, PTI leaders Raoof Hassan and Barrister Umair called on Mr Alvi at the Presidency.<\/p>\n

The meeting between the president and PTI leaders prompted speculations in the media, and reports claimed that the two leaders delivered a message of the PTI chairman to the president.<\/p>\n

Mr Hassan, however, denied that he shared a message from Mr Khan in the meeting.<\/p>\n

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Party leaders call on Alvi; caretaker info minister meets Shafqat Mahmood amid renewed push to create political space<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In the past, President Alvi had made several attempts to restore ties between the establishment and his party chairman. Recently, PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah claimed in a TV programme that PTI Chairman Imran Khan was trying to mend his ties with the establishment.<\/p>\n

Though only a two-line statement was released from the President\u2019s House, Mr Hassan, who is the PTI information secretary, told Dawn<\/em> the meeting was a \u201cnormal\u201d and \u201croutine\u201d one.<\/p>\n

\u201cI used to meet the president quite frequently and today\u2019s meeting was also a routine one,\u201d he said, adding: \u201cIt is totally wrong that I passed any message of the chairman to the president.\u201d<\/p>\n

The current political situation and issues of national importance were discussed in the meeting, he added.<\/p>\n

Reconciliation dialogue<\/strong><\/p>\n

In a separate development, PTI leader Shafqat Mahmood and caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi met in Lahore, wherein the former proposed a \u2018Grand National Reconciliation Dialogue\u2019 among all stakeholders ahead of the next general elections.<\/p>\n

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Details of the meeting between Mr Solangi and the former education minister were also kept under wraps, as the former termed it a \u201cprivate meeting\u201d.<\/p>\n

However, Mr Mahmood told Dawn<\/em> that the caretaker minister agreed to his party\u2019s proposal to hold the \u2018Grand National Reconciliation Dialogue\u2019 among all stakeholders, including the military, judiciary and the media.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis dialogue is a must ahead of the upcoming polls to move forward in the right direction. Let\u2019s sit together and set a target for the next 10 years. Mr Solangi has agreed to the proposal,\u201d Mr Mahmood said.<\/p>\n

The PTI leader said he told the caretaker minister that the incumbent government had to ensure free and fair elections. \u201cCurrently, there has been a clear perception that the PTI is not being given a level playing field\u2026whereas no other party is facing such restrictions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He added that Mr Solangi maintained that it was the responsibility of the caretaker government to ensure fair polls. The PTI leader said he also asked the caretaker minister to take immediate steps to allow the former ruling party to resume political activities.<\/p>\n

To a question about the polls taking place without PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Mr Mahmood said, \u201cFree and fair elections cannot be held without Imran Khan\u2019s participation.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked about his meeting with Mr Mahmood, Mr Solangi said: \u201cI met Shafqat Mahmood as an old friend and clearly conveyed [to him] that it is just a meeting of old friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI happened to be in Lahore and he was kind enough to host me at his house. I was not on any mission,\u201d the caretaker minister said.<\/p>\n

Asked about any discussion on any reconciliation move by the PTI, the minister said: \u201cI didn\u2019t go there on any mission. I can\u2019t comment on what he said in the meeting or what I told him since it was a private meeting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2023<\/em><\/p>\n