The deadline given by the Supreme Court to the federal government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to reach an agreement for a final schedule of joint elections in the country will end on April 26, 2023. Hence, Prime Minister Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif has called a meeting of the coalition parties on Wednesday at 12:30 PM before initiating the talks with PTI.
According to the details, the key agendas of the meeting include a detailed consultation on the situation of the country, especially regarding the constitutional crisis. Other than that, finalising the date of Punjab elections will also be considered. Note that Chairman PTI Imran Khan has demanded elections in Punjab on May 14. A cabinet meeting will also take place at 2:30 pm after the meetup of coalition parties. PM Shehbaz Sharif will also host an Eid-ul-Fitr dinner for the coalition leaders.
Talks between PTI and Government
Sources of the ruling alliance have claimed that PM Shehbaz Sharif is ready to settle matters with PTI, but some allies have raised objections to negotiating with PTI.
Earlier on Friday, PML-N leader Ayaz Sadiq contacted PTI leader Asad Qaiser. During the conversation, both leaders agreed to meet on Wednesday. However, PTI Chief Imran Khan said that he had given the mandate of negotiations to Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
It is pertinent to mention that on April 20, the Supreme Court adjourned the hearing of the petition till April 27. Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz assured the apex court that they would talk with PTI on April 26 to sort out the final date for elections.
The three-member bench (comprising Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar) has directed to submit a progress report on April 27 in which the details of the meeting & negotiations would be mentioned.