Government renews dialogue offer as Achakzai warns of National Assembly boycott

ISLAMABAD: The government on Wednesday again called on the opposition to sit down for talks on major national matters, while National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai warned of a possible boycott of the lower house over what he described as unfulfilled commitments.

Speaking on the National Assembly floor, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar rejected opposition criticism of the government’s performance and invited its members to engage with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on issues of national importance.

Tarar said:

“I invited you on behalf of the government to come and sit together with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to consult on national issues,”

Responding to the opposition’s demand that jailed PTI founder Imran Khan be allowed to meet other party leaders, the law minister said the Constitution did not permit a convicted person to lead a political party, distribute election tickets for legislative assemblies or take an active part in politics.

On the recent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan, Tarar said the opposition would have to present evidence if it alleged rigging. He also told the House that the recent protest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir had the support of a neighbouring country.

Opposition criticism and boycott warning

Earlier in the sitting, opposition members said the government had failed to steer the country properly. Achakzai said the opposition had ended its earlier boycott at the government’s request in order to show unity during the visit of a Chinese delegation to the National Assembly last month.

In May, the opposition had announced that it would boycott the budget session in protest against what it said was the denial of medical care to the former prime minister.

Support for Pakistanis detained abroad

During question hour, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry told the House that Pakistani missions overseas had dedicated sections to assist Pakistani prisoners, including through legal and financial support aimed at safeguarding their welfare.

He said mission officials made regular prison visits to check on detainees and hear complaints relating to food, medicines and hygiene, which were then taken up with the relevant jail authorities.

Chaudhry said that whenever a Pakistani national was arrested by law enforcement agencies abroad, the date of arrest and the charges were communicated to Pakistani missions through the host government’s official channels. He said the missions compiled and maintained this information in a comprehensive databank.

According to the minister, timely intervention by missions has in some cases led to the release of Pakistanis detained at police stations.

Replying to another question, Chaudhry said efforts were continuing to secure the release of Pakistani hostages being held by Somali pirates. He also told the House that no targeted or selective action was being taken against Pakistanis in the United Arab Emirates.

The National Assembly is scheduled to meet again on Thursday at 11am.