Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has praised Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for its statement conveying that general elections without PTI will be unacceptable.
Notably, Imran Khan's PTI has been struggling since the May 9 events. The party's chairman, Imran Khan, and other senior leaders have been imprisoned on various charges, including sedition. Dozens of members have also left PTI since then, which the party claims was not voluntary but rather the result of pressure.
There have been speculations that PTI may not be allowed to contest in elections. The return of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif after a four-year self-exile has led some to believe that powerful quarters may bring him back to power for a fourth time.
The subcommittee of PTI's Core Committee met on Saturday to discuss the country's political situation and party's strategy.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the committee said that PPP statement on not recognizing elections without PTI is a reflection of 'correct' thinking.
Political parties urging a level playing field for their counterparts is a positive trend, PTI said and added, "Excluding any party including PTI from the electoral process will not be good at all."
The committee also reiterated PTI's commitment to transparent and fair elections.
Grand Dialogue
The work on the Grand Dialogue to achieve a breakthrough in national politics has started ahead of the upcoming elections.
All political parties including rivals like Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan (JUI-F) and PTI are expected to participate in the dialogue.
According to sources, the recent meeting between a PTI delegation and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman was an important step towards the Grand Dialogue.
The meeting was a 'nudge' felt on the political landscape as both parties are considered 'arch-rivals' with their respective heads lampooning each other publicly.
Reportedly, Maulana Fazlur Rehman asked for a commitment from the PTI team that they would cooperate to ensure a fair competition among all political parties in the upcoming general elections.
Sources also said that the JUI-F leader emphasized the importance of full political harmony as he apparently sought PTI Chairman Imran Khan's [who is imprisoned] support for creating a new alliance.
Sources said Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-Chairman Asif Zardari had also discussed this initiative with Maulana Fazlur Rehman and advised political parties to create space for each other.
The PTI team asked for some time to discuss the prospect of a fresh political alliance with the party chairman.
Both also contemplated involving other political parties such PPP as potential inductees in the evolving political arrangement.
The Grand Dialogue is seen as a way to address the political polarization in Pakistan and to find common ground on important issues as well as ensure timely elections.
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