Opposition alliance holds joint parliamentary meeting, PTI announces boycott

Pakistan's opposition parties held a joint parliamentary party meeting on Friday at Parliament House, solidifying their alliance against the government.

Following the meeting, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan announced that Maulana Fazlur Rehman was now part of their united front. In a significant move, Khan also stated that the opposition would no longer sit in the house, indicating a boycott of parliamentary proceedings.

Following the meeting, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman stated that the opposition parties had decided to form a "united opposition" to confront the government. He described the meeting as the first session of its kind and indicated that further consultations would follow to strengthen contacts and finalize a joint strategy.

He added that the next gathering of opposition parties would consider convening an All Parties Conference (APC) to devise this strategy. The leaders also condemned what they termed the "government’s attitude and behaviour towards the opposition in the National Assembly and Senate."

This development came a day after the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a key government ally, and opposition parties had reportedly agreed to cooperate on legislative matters.

Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai, and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas have agreed in principle to form a “united opposition”.

The agreement was reached during a meeting at the opposition chamber in Parliament House, Islamabad, on Thursday. According to a spokesperson for the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP), the leaders discussed the current political situation, parliamentary affairs, and a future joint strategy.

The meeting was also attended by PTI leader Asad Qaiser. The participants condemned what they described as the “government’s attitude and behaviour towards the opposition” and expressed serious concern over the health of PTI founder Imran Khan. They demanded he be transferred to a hospital for medical treatment in light of a Supreme Court decision.

The leaders agreed to continue consultations to formulate a joint course of action.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman met with opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai on Thursday. The meeting took place in the Opposition Leader's chamber at Parliament House in Islamabad.

A Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) delegation, led by Maulana Fazal ur Rehman, has met with opposition leaders amid ongoing political engagement between various parties.

Fresh contacts between the government and opposition parties have focused on parliamentary matters and the health of PTI founder Imran Khan.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq invited PTI leaders to his chamber for a meeting, which was expected to centre on a recent court order concerning Imran Khan’s transfer to a hospital. Ahead of the meeting, PTI leader Asad Qaiser said the party would demand the complete implementation of the court's decision.

Separately, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met with a delegation from the opposition alliance and formally requested them to return to parliamentary committees. According to a statement, the alliance leaders told him that a final decision on the matter would be taken after consultation with the PTI founder.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has welcomed a renewed offer for dialogue from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The positive response came from PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan on Thursday, following the prime minister's latest invitation.

During a federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad, Prime Minister Sharif had once again invited the opposition for “meaningful” talks to support the country's economic progress and democratic system. “It takes two to tango,” the premier stated, adding that it was now up to the opposition to decide how soon it was prepared to engage in constructive dialogue.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday again invited the opposition for “meaningful” talks, stating that the government was ready for parleys to support the country's economic progress and strengthen democracy.

Speaking during a televised federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad, the prime minister said, “I once again invite the opposition for talks from this forum… But it takes two to tango. Now it’s on them how soon they agree for constructive dialogue.”

The invitation is the latest in a series of outreach efforts from the government. It follows a recent call for dialogue from Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry during a Senate session.

In a parallel move to the PPP's engagement, the government has also initiated separate contacts with the opposition. National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq invited PTI leaders to his chamber for discussions. Ahead of the meeting with the speaker, PTI leader Asad Qaiser stated that their side would demand the full implementation of the court's decision regarding Imran Khan's hospital transfer. Meanwhile, former PTI Secretary General Asad Umar expressed hope that the political process would lead to a positive outcome, but stressed that the immediate focus was on the health issue. Commenting on the broader trend of engagement, PPP leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf described contacts between parliamentary parties as a routine matter.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met with senior opposition leaders in Islamabad on Wednesday, where he again urged them to join parliamentary committees and also called for cooperation on electoral reforms.

The meeting included Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, along with other senior figures from the PTI-led opposition and the PPP. According to a statement, the opposition leaders said they would decide on joining the committees after consulting with PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

Mr. Bhutto also welcomed the transfer of Imran Khan to a hospital for medical treatment following a Supreme Court decision, describing it as a “positive democratic tradition.” The two sides agreed to enhance contacts and coordination on legislation in Parliament.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met with senior opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai on Wednesday as part of his party's ongoing outreach. Reports indicate the discussion included the topic of creating a new province for Karachi, a move the PTI has reportedly opposed.

Following a meeting between the PPP and opposition leaders, PTI leader Salman Akram Raja commented on the interaction. He characterized the PPP delegation's outreach as a "goodwill visit."

Raja also noted that during the meeting, the PPP representatives welcomed the recent Supreme Court decision concerning the medical treatment of the PTI founder.

In a meeting on Wednesday, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and opposition parties, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), agreed to maintain contact and cooperate on legislative matters in parliament. The development came after PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met with opposition leaders at Parliament House.

During the meeting and in a subsequent media talk, Mr. Bhutto urged the opposition to rejoin parliamentary standing committees and play an active role, particularly in pursuing electoral reforms. According to a statement, the opposition leaders present said they would decide on the matter after consulting with the PTI founder.

The PPP chairman also welcomed the Supreme Court's decision regarding the medical treatment of the incarcerated PTI founder, stating it was a "democratic tradition," though he added it would have been better if the government had arranged it proactively.

The PPP delegation included Raja Pervez Ashraf, Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar, and Nadeem Afzal Chan. The opposition was represented by figures including Leader of the Opposition Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Salman Akram Raja, and Asad Qaiser.

On Wednesday, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also met with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman inside the National Assembly. Video from the assembly floor showed Mr. Bhutto approaching Maulana Fazlur Rehman's seat to speak with him. Following his meetings with opposition figures, Mr. Bhutto held a media talk.