The National Dialogue Committee (NDC) has urged Pakistan’s top leadership to initiate direct political dialogue with opposition parties to reduce tensions and stabilise the country’s democratic and economic environment. The call came during a national conference held in Islamabad on Wednesday, attended by major political leaders, journalists, lawyers, and other stakeholders.
The NDC, recently formed by former PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhry, Imran Ismail, and Mahmood Moulvi, emphasised the need for political reconciliation, national unity, and confidence-building measures between the government and opposition. The committee called for the government to appoint opposition leaders in the National Assembly and Senate without delay and to release all political prisoners, including women activists.
In a joint declaration, the NDC highlighted concerns over political instability, economic hardships, restrictions on political activity and media, and the ongoing threat of terrorism. The committee recommended the formation of separate negotiation teams: President Asif Ali Zardari, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to represent the government, while the NDC would consult jailed opposition leaders to name their negotiation committee.
The declaration further urged the government to lift restrictions on political activities, withdraw cases against political activists, end media censorship, and remove curbs on television anchors, ensuring political freedoms within the constitutional framework.
The NDC stressed that proactive engagement by all parties is essential to safeguard democracy, reduce political friction, and promote economic stability for the benefit of the public.
