Journalist Ansar Abbasi reported that Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq started making efforts to bring the PTI and the ruling alliance together to address the country's deteriorating economic and political crisis and the country's dire financial situation.
A three-person JI team, led by Haq, met separately with Imran Khan, the leader of the PTI, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday as part of its efforts.
The current political climate in the country and the judicial crisis were discussed during his discussion with the premier. The politicians agreed that problems should be solved by using communal wisdom.
According to sources with direct knowledge of the situation, the discussions continued to be very productive because all parties agreed to sit down and negotiate to put an end to the protracted conflict, which had a negative impact on the people and the country’s economy.
Since being ousted in April last year, the PTI leader and his party have protested, calling for early elections, which the government has steadfastly refused.
In an effort to pressure the government into holding national elections, the PTI disbanded the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies. However, the Shehbaz-led administration refused to move.
But the situation took a turn when the Supreme Court ordered holding the polls in Punjab on May 14. However, the parliament rejected the verdict, leading the judiciary and government to lock horns.
Two significant meetings were held in Lahore today, according to a statement from JI information secretary Qaisar Sharif.
PM Shehbaz was greeted at his home in Model Town by a team from the JI made up of Liaqat Baloch, Ameer Ul Azim, and Sirajul Haq, while Khan was met at his home in Zaman Park.
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"The JI had decided to contact the political parties to build consensus for holding elections on the same day," the JI information secretary continued. He quoted Haq when he said, "The country cannot afford any chaos at this time."
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The JI information secretary provided details of the meeting between the JI delegation and the premier and stated that PM Shehbaz believed that political parties should set aside their egos and work towards a national consensus.
He said, "The prime minister emphasized that his party will assist JI if it wishes to play a mediating role.
The JI leader continued, "Both parties concurred that meetings should proceed and that additional parties should be involved."
He insisted that when the JI delegation met with the PTI chairman at his Zaman Park home, the latter expressed appreciation for the former's efforts.
After Eid ul Fitr, the parties decided to keep in touch.
On the other hand, on the instructions of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, a three-member committee comprising Pervaiz Khattak, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, and Mian Mehmood-ur-Rashid has been formed to hold a dialogue with Jamat-e-Islami on the ongoing political crisis in the country.