ISLAMABAD: JUI Senator Kamran Murtaza has urged political parties to return to dialogue instead of engaging in mudslinging amid ongoing political tensions.
Speaking on ARY News’ morning show Bakhabar Sawera on Thursday, Murtaza said JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman could play a role in reviving talks between the political sides.
“Maulana Fazlur Rehman could further play his role in revival of talks if the sides are facing difficulties,” Murtaza said.
He said political tensions could only be addressed through dialogue.
“Maulana Sahib has made some contacts but definite results have yet to emerge,” the JUI leader added.
Government Delegation Meets Fazlur Rehman
The remarks came after a government delegation led by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq met Maulana Fazlur Rehman at his residence in Islamabad.
The delegation included Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and Tariq Fazal Chaudhry.
According to sources, the government delegation briefed Fazlur Rehman on the political situation.
The delegation also told him that the government was not responsible for the deadlock in talks with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Sources said the delegation attributed the failure of efforts to resolve the political impasse to the KP chief minister’s refusal to cooperate on the issue of terrorism.
Fazlur Rehman said negotiations were necessary to resolve political issues. He urged all sides to choose dialogue in the national interest.
Gohar Calls for Unconditional Talks
Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Wednesday called for unconditional talks with the government.
His remarks came after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered dialogue to PTI on the condition that the party end its ongoing long march towards Islamabad.
Speaking to the media at Parliament House, Gohar said negotiations should resume regardless of whether the PTI march reached the capital.
“Negotiations should not be cut off, and there should be no break in the dialogue,” the PTI chairman said.
Asked whether the long march would reach Islamabad, Gohar said there was no reason for it not to.
“Why wouldn’t the long march come to Islamabad? Islamabad is ours, and that is why the long march is being held,” he said.
Gohar said the march would move from Peshawar to Khyber and then from Khyber to Pir Wadhai in Rawalpindi.
