National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has pointed to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan’s restricted authority within his party as a major obstacle hindering political dialogue with the government. Sadiq emphasized that while Gohar Khan is making efforts to facilitate talks, his limited decision-making power prevents meaningful progress.
“I do not hold Gohar responsible. He is trying, but his hands are tied due to the lack of authority he possesses,” Sadiq stated during a podcast interview.
In the backdrop of widespread arrests of PTI lawmakers, the party has announced plans for a long march to Islamabad scheduled for September 27. This move has prompted stern warnings from Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar about potential severe repercussions.
Sadiq revealed that he has made multiple attempts to bridge communication between the government and PTI. He noted that several opposition members have reached out to him, seeking assistance to reduce political tensions and organize meetings. He described the Speaker’s office as a crucial link connecting the government and opposition forces.
Meanwhile, Sadiq highlighted that efforts to promote dialogue are also undermined by pressure from PTI’s social media supporters. Many party lawmakers reportedly fear backlash and criticism if they engage in talks with the government.
“Every member is apprehensive about social media reactions. They worry about being criticized for participating in dialogue,” he explained. This environment has discouraged lawmakers who previously engaged with him from encouraging others to follow suit.
He recounted an incident when Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi contacted him during travel to discuss arranging a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan. Initially, a proposal was made to send a relative of Khan to the meeting, but this plan was abandoned after Khan’s sister objected.
Subsequently, Sadiq, Naqvi, and Gohar Khan held a conference call, while other PTI members, including former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, joined Gohar separately. Gohar was then invited to attend the meeting himself, but that option also failed to materialize.
In a significant development, Sadiq suggested that the opposition leaders in the National Assembly and Senate should meet with Imran Khan directly. He proposed sending the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, noting that no one could prevent their attendance.
However, this suggestion was also declined, with concerns cited over potential social media criticism targeting the opposition leaders. Sadiq named Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Raja Nasir Abbas as the respective opposition leaders and questioned why they had not taken the opportunity to meet Khan.
Reflecting on the situation, Sadiq questioned why PTI, despite having numerous lawmakers, could not designate an individual with adequate authority to engage in political discussions. He described this as indicative of a broader lack of unity within the party, where members hesitate to act independently due to fear of backlash.
Despite these challenges, Sadiq affirmed that he continues to offer the Speaker’s office as a venue for dialogue and noted the government’s support for these efforts. Nevertheless, he stressed that political engagement cannot progress unless all parties are willing to seize the opportunities for communication being extended.
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