Govt invites opposition for dialogue to strengthen Charter of Democracy

-- Rana Sanaullah says govt committed to dialogue rather than confrontation

-- Says all medical facilities provided to Imran Khan in accordance with the law

-- Senate sees PPP–MQM clash over Karachi’s status as PPP vows to defend Sindh's unity

-- PPP, MQM MPs locked horns as Sindh Assembly passes resolution affirming Karachi as 'inseparable' part of the province

ISLAMABAD: The government on Monday extended an invitation to the opposition to engage in talks aimed at “strengthening and taking forward” the Charter of Democracy, the 2006 agreement signed by PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and late PPP leader Benazir Bhutto to uphold democratic principles and oppose dictatorship.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah Khan addressed the Senate session in response to Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, saying the government was committed to dialogue rather than confrontation.

“Let us sit together to strengthen and take forward the Charter of Democracy,” he said, emphasising that talks with the opposition would reinforce democratic processes instead of leading to political deadlock.

“The government wants the opposition to play an effective role in the democratic process,” he said, adding that the ruling side had repeatedly invited the opposition for talks.

Addressing concerns about the health of Imran Khan, he stated that all medical facilities were being provided in accordance with the law and under the directions of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He added that a panel of doctors had examined the former premier in jail and that any relief in pending cases could only be granted by the courts in line with legal procedures.

Sanaullah added that parties in the ruling coalition had consistently supported dialogue even when Imran Khan was in power. However, he noted that Imran Khan’s reluctance to engage remained a major obstacle.

“We are ready to sit with you for the betterment of the country, but his stubbornness is a big hurdle in the way of meaningful talks,” the adviser said.

The statement comes amid ongoing political tensions and repeated calls from opposition lawmakers for consultations on national issues and democratic reforms.

Senate sees PPP–MQM clash over Karachi’s status as PPP vows to defend Sindh's unity

Separately, the Senate on Monday witnessed sharp exchanges after the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) strongly opposed recent statements regarding the creation of a separate province comprising Karachi, declaring the port city an inseparable part of Sindh.

The debate comes days after the Sindh Assembly passed a resolution affirming that Karachi is an “inseparable” part of the province and rejecting any move to alter its status. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), however, opposed the resolution in the provincial assembly, terming it unconstitutional.

Speaking in the upper house, PPP parliamentary leader Sherry Rehman criticised recent remarks by certain federal ministers—an apparent reference to MQM-P leaders Mustafa Kamal and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui—describing such statements as reckless and unconstitutional.

“Let me be clear: the PPP is the custodian of Sindh’s unity and no one will be allowed to undermine it,” she said, adding that Sindh had shared its resources with the rest of the country since 1947.

“To hear suggestions about dividing Karachi or Sindh is deeply alarming. This is not just an attack on a province; it is an attack on Pakistan itself,” she remarked.

Rehman reminded lawmakers that any alteration in provincial boundaries required a constitutional amendment supported by a two-thirds majority. “Those floating these ideas should first read the Constitution. Constitutional divisions require democratic majorities, not press conferences,” she said.

Referring to MQM-P’s role in successive federal governments, she noted that the party had been part of multiple administrations but cautioned against conflating local political debates with attempts to redraw provincial boundaries.

Citing party history, she said PPP had endured sacrifices for democracy, invoking leaders such as Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari. “Anyone dreaming of dividing Sindh should abandon this dangerous fantasy. We will not tolerate any assault on Pakistan’s federal unity,” she asserted.

PPP Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi also criticised MQM-P and Jamaat-i-Islami, noting that both parties had produced multiple mayors of Karachi. “What had these six mayors given to Karachi? Nothing,” he claimed, adding that the PPP’s tenure in city government delivered better results.

On the other hand, MQM-P Senator Khalida Ateeb rejected the Sindh Assembly resolution, arguing that it ran contrary to the Constitution. She maintained that the idea of dividing Sindh into rural and urban segments had originated under a PPP-led provincial government and questioned the origins of the quota system. She clarified that MQM-P had not advocated for dividing Sindh but supported the concept of administrative units across provinces.