On Monday, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, President of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), announced in the National Assembly that he is open to engaging in talks with the ‘establishment’ to uphold the constitution and address the current crisis.
This surprising statement followed a fiery speech by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who had asked Speaker Ayaz Sadiq to seek a response from Achakzai, who had been nominated by the opposition PTI for dialogue. Asif had criticized PTI leaders for their refusal to engage with political parties in parliament, insisting instead on talks with the army.
Achakzai, responding amid support from opposition members, said, “I will negotiate with every institution, including the establishment. We seek an honorable resolution, not guidance from them.” He emphasized that the establishment should be treated with respect and that the supremacy of the constitution is the only way forward, a sentiment shared by leaders like Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari.
Achakzai called for a collective effort from politicians, the army, and all institutions to address the nation’s issues, criticizing political leaders for internal conflicts and urging the Speaker to act as a neutral custodian. He also stressed the need for dialogue, including with the Chief of Army Staff, to resolve the ongoing crisis.
The debate on political dialogue was triggered by opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan’s refutation of Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal’s claim that Imran Khan was seeking a deal. Defence Minister Asif reiterated that PTI, despite claims of reconciliation, was reluctant to engage with political parties and was instead seeking support from the establishment.
In a related development, the National Assembly passed four bills despite opposition protests: the Apostille Bills 2024, the Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority Bill 2024, the Establishment of Telecommunication Appellate Tribunal Bill 2024, and the Privatisation Commission (Amendment) Bill 2024.
