Hopes stay high: Saad optimistic about polls parleys

Railways Minister Saad Rafiq has hoped the government-opposition poll parleys will bear fruit, the 24NewsHD TV Channel reported.

In a brief chat with reporters ahead of another round of the parleys, the minister stressed the need for resolving issues through dialogue.

“There are a lot of persons creating rifts, he said, adding that there are a few figures who play their part in promoting harmony and unity.

Talks are the best way to resolve the issues, he said, adding that passing provocative statements and delivering aggressive speeches have nothing to do with coping with the challenges confronting the country.

“The country is facing financial challenges. We should think of the country,” Saad said.

The government and the opposition started dialogue last week on the advice of the Supreme Court, bringing an end to a long-time deadlock.

The opposition delegation consists of PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry and Senator Ali Zafar while PML-N’s Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Azam Nazeer Tarar and Sardar Ayaz Sadiq along with PPP’s Senator Yousuf Raza Gilani and Syed Naveed Qamar are representing the government.

Former prime minister Imran Khan yesterday threatened to take to the street if the coalition government does not dissolve the assemblies by May 14.

Imran Khan has been on a campaign for snap polls since his ouster from the Prime Minister’s Office through a no-confidence motion in April last.

He blamed the US for his ouster, saying US-backed conspiracy was behind his ouster as he made an independent foreign policy. However, Washinton denied any wrongdoing.

He led a march to the federal capital and dissolved the assemblies of Punjab and KP after his road show failed to bear fruit.