A conference convened by the National Dialogue Committee (NDC) on Wednesday urged the incumbent government’s leadership to engage directly with the opposition in a structured political dialogue to ease political tensions and stabilize the country’s democratic and economic landscape.
The NDC comprises several former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including Fawad Chaudhry, former Sindh governor Imran Ismail and Mahmood Moulvi, who are advocating for shifting control of the party to seasoned politicians and pursuing sustained dialogue to secure an end to political victimization.
In a statement issued after the conference, which included leaders of several political parties, intellectuals, journalists, lawyers and other stakeholders, the NDC voiced concern over persistent political instability, economic doldrums, restrictions on political activity and media, and ongoing terror threats.
The joint statement also called for national unity, political reconciliation and confidence-building measures to resolve tensions between the government and the opposition. It also appreciated the NDC’s desire to serve as bridge between the government and the opposition.
The conference called for the formation of separate negotiation committees by the government and the opposition to initiate formal talks. It advised President Asif Ali Zardari, PMLN President Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to represent the government, adding the opposition side’s name would be announced after consultation with senior opposition leaders currently in jail.
The joint declaration stressed on ending all restrictions on political activities, appointing the leaders of the opposition in both the National Assembly and Senate, and ensuring political freedoms within the constitutional framework. It further demanded the release of women political workers, including Bushra Bibi and Yasmin Rashid, withdrawal of cases against political activists, an end to media censorship and removal of curbs on television anchors.
The declaration urged both the government and opposition to refrain from using the armed forces for political purposes or engaging in negative propaganda against state institutions. It paid tribute to the sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces, police, Rangers and other security personnel in the fight against terrorism, offering prayers for martyrs and patience for their families. It reaffirmed national unity in safeguarding Pakistan’s sovereignty, defense, security and the dignity of state institutions.
The participants also expressed a desire to continue engagement and dialogue at the national level, reiterating that the NDC would persist in playing its role in the broader public and national interest.
National dialogue
Earlier, former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said no single party or individual could be blamed for Pakistan’s deteriorating conditions. He said the state of the economy, media curbs and inconsistent application of rule of law are national problems. He further warned that a country without stability cannot function indefinitely, stressing the hybrid setup is not the solution. He advised all stakeholders—politicians, military, judges, and business leaders—to sit and resolve pending issues, lamenting that the elite had effectively captured the state.
Meanwhile, former PTI leader Imran Ismail said national dialogue had begun a month earlier and had now taken the shape of a formal committee. He said collective effort is required to steer the country toward development, adding unity is also necessary to counter the threat of terrorism.
Former Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa spokesperson Barrister Saif said political polarization had created serious difficulties but sustained dialogue can help reduce national problems. He regretted that some political parties had refused to attend the gathering, as they feared political losses. He also called for reducing differences between the PTI and the state, saying the release of the PTI founder and other political prisoners would help achieve this.