ISLAMABAD: The government, which is led by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), agreed Tuesday night to hold elections concurrently throughout the nation, but there is still no agreement on the date. Both parties will therefore continue their negotiations.
The breakthrough happened following the third session of negotiations between the government and PTI delegations, the first two of which were held last week on the Supreme Court’s directives.
However, he confirmed that both sides had agreed that the polls should be held simultaneously across the country. He also said both sides had shown flexibility in their positions.
“Hopefully, if they proceed with sincerity, the next phase will be passed successfully,” the financial czar added.
The meeting took place at the Parliament House in Islamabad, with Shah Mehmood Qureshi leading his delegation, which comprised Fawad Chaudhary and Senator Ali Zafar.
The government team comprised former prime minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, FinMin Dar, Law Minister Senator Azam Nazir Tarar, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, Minister for Commerce Naveed Qamar, Minister for National Food Security and Research Tariq Bashir Cheema, and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan Kishwar Zahra.
‘No breakthrough’
In conversation with journalists, Qureshi said the PDM wants simultaneous elections, and the Supreme Court has also asked political parties to show flexibility in making decisions on the staging of polls.
The former foreign minister added although there was “no breakthrough”, both sides have agreed that they respect the Constitution and would try to find a middle ground so that it isn’t violated.
Qureshi said that the PTI delegation has proposed that since Supreme Court’s decision is in line with the law, a one-time exemption should be allowed through amending the Constitution for holding the polls simultaneously after 90 days — the time limit for staging polls once an assembly is dissolved.
