No invitation extended to opposition for resumption of talks: Ayaz Sadiq

ISLAMABAD, Aug 07 (APP): National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Friday said he did not invite the opposition to resume negotiations with the government during his meeting with MNA Malik Muhammad Amir Dogar on Thursday.

Speaking to the media, the speaker said Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry was also present at the meeting, which was held to discuss matters related to the upcoming National Assembly session.

He said there was no discussion or proposal regarding the resumption or initiation of dialogue between the treasury and opposition benches.

Ayaz Sadiq said he had only asked for the names of opposition members who would participate in the Independence Day ceremony. “Apart from this, there was no other conversation,” he said.

The speaker added that if Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Malik Muhammad Amir Dogar had discussed negotiations separately, he was not aware of it.

Ayaz Sadiq said he had made several efforts in the past to facilitate dialogue between the government and the opposition but had now stopped extending invitations for talks.

“I have become tired of extending invitations for negotiations,” he said.

He also added that Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif had repeatedly invited the opposition to engage in dialogue on the floor of Parliament.

The speaker said political issues could only be resolved through direct dialogue and mutual understanding, adding that negotiations could not take place through media statements alone.

“Dialogue requires sitting together at the table,” he said.

Referring to the parliamentary committee formed earlier for political dialogue, Ayaz Sadiq said opposition members had not approached him with any request to restore the committee.

The speaker also remarked that PTI had chosen its Leader of the Opposition with the expectation that he would engage in negotiations, but perhaps he had not been granted permission to do so.

Responding to a question about staff attached to PTI chairpersons of standing committees, he said the staff would be returned if the committee chairpersons relinquished them, and the National Assembly Secretariat would utilise them accordingly.

Ayaz Sadiq reiterated his willingness to meet the Leader of the Opposition. He said that if the opposition leader did not wish to visit his chamber, they could meet in a committee room instead.

He added that he was even willing to vacate his chamber to facilitate the meeting. However, the Speaker questioned whether the opposition genuinely wanted negotiations.

“The real issue is that they do not want to negotiate,” he said.

He reiterated that Parliament remained the proper forum for resolving political issues through dialogue, consultation and meaningful engagement.