Govt accepts Bilawal’s offer, asks him to engage PTI

ISLAMABAD: Accepting the mediation offer of Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto, the government has tasked him with the responsibility of talking to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Speaking to Geo News, Prime Minister’s Advisor Rana Sanaullah said. “If Bilawal Bhutto gets an assurance from PTI to attend the meeting, there is no problem in re-convening the National Security Committee huddle.” Rana Sana said Bilawal Bhutto himself was part of the government and if the negotiations between PTI and the government were successful, it would be their success.

To a question, the PM’s Advisor said the country needed the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). He however conceded that the complaints about its misuse were also valid. They should be discussed, he remarked. Earlier on Monday, while expressing concerns over the absence of key political parties from the recent high-level security meeting, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take on board all political parties even those who skipped the national security briefing held earlier this month.

Speaking at the Punjab Governor’s House, Bilawal stressed the urgency of a united front against terrorism, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He lamented that while the fire was at the doorstep, opposition parties remained preoccupied with narrow agendas and political point-scoring instead of addressing the country’s mounting security challenges. He called on all political factions to set aside their differences for the sake of stability.

Bilawal said he had offered to the prime minister to play a role in facilitating a dialogue among the political parties. Commenting on PPP’s unique political position, he clarified that the party did not hold a place in the government or the opposition, which allowed it to serve as a bridge between the two sides. “We stand in a space where we can provide constructive input to both the government and opposition. I hope we can foster political consensus on national issues and resolve them amicably,” Bilawal added.

Addressing Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub Khan, Bilawal urged him to prioritise national security over partisan concerns. He said that while the opposition may have grievances regarding the country’s political landscape, it should not confine its agenda to securing the release of former prime minister Imran Khan and other PTI leaders. Alluding to Imran as “Qaidi number whatever”, Bilawal stressed that national security and governance challenges must take precedence over individual political matters.

Criticising PTI’s approach, Bilawal said that while the opposition was preoccupied with seeking relief for its leadership, the people of Pakistan were grappling with far more serious issues.”The opposition may be focused on one matter, but the citizens of this country are struggling with terrorism, economic turmoil, and provincial instability particularly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. I urge the opposition leader and his party to look beyond their internal concerns and work towards addressing national security challenges,” he said.