PTI's KP parliamentary party backs talks with Centre on governor's rule
PTI's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa parliamentary party has backed negotiations with the federal government to end governor's rule and the emergency in the province. According to Express News, a six-member negotiating committee was formed.
- PTI's KP parliamentary party backed talks with the federal government on governor's rule and emergency
- Express News reported a six-member negotiating committee was formed
- Barrister Gohar said the committee's official announcement would come within 48 hours
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa parliamentary party of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has backed negotiations with the federal government to pave the way for withdrawal of governor's rule and the emergency in the province, according to Geo News, Daily Jang and Express News.
Geo News, citing sources, said the meeting was held online, while Daily Jang reported it took place in Peshawar. More than 40 lawmakers attended, including Ali Amin Gandapur. Express News, citing sources, put attendance at 46 members. Party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Noor-ul-Haq Qadri also took part.
Express News reported that the parliamentary party formed a six-member committee for talks. Barrister Gohar, Ali Amin Gandapur and Noor-ul-Haq Qadri will be members, and three KP Assembly members will be added. The committee will seek an end to governor's rule and the emergency.
According to Express News, Gandapur asked in what capacity the government would accept him without an official notification. Barrister Gohar assured members that the committee would be formally announced within 48 hours.
Some members proposed that Gandapur be included in the consultation process with the federal government. Shaukat Yousafzai said there should be no objection if Gandapur was the parliamentary party's choice, and described him as an old and loyal companion of PTI founder Imran Khan.
Barrister Gohar said a majority of PTI lawmakers in the National Assembly favoured talks with the federal government. Noor-ul-Haq Qadri stressed patience and perseverance and backed dialogue. Members said lifting governor's rule and the emergency would allow PTI's mandate to be restored.
Shaukat Yousafzai said: "We are in favour of negotiations. The federal government should reduce tensions and remove governor's rule and the emergency." He also said PTI had nothing to do with remarks made against state institutions.
Members backed the decision not to call workers out to protest after governor's rule and the emergency were imposed. According to Geo News, they said street action could have led to incidents similar to May 9. Barrister Gohar said, according to Express News, that the release of the founder, his sisters and Sohail Afridi is the responsibility of the federal parliamentary committee. Geo News said the meeting did not specifically discuss the proposed electoral reforms committee.
Why it matters
Governor's rule and the emergency affect the elected provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the province's politics. The talks decide whether the party and the federal government can agree on lifting them.
