Consensus on holding elections simultaneously reached, says Ishaq Dar

The third round of poll parleys between the ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and the oppoisiotn Pakitan Tehreek-e-Insaf culminated, 24News HD TV channel reported late Tuesday.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar told the media after the meeting that the two sides are optimistic about the progress on dialogue.

“We raised our constitutional concerns at the separate elections,” he said, adding that the two sides reached a consensus on the point of holding election simultaneously.

However, he added they are yet to develop a consensus on the election date.

Former foreign minister Shah Mehmood said the party will tell the Supreme Court about the outcome.

“The PTI will inform the Supreme Court about the outcome,” he said, stressing that the consensus on the points of election date and dissolution of assemblies could not be reached.

He said the PTI presented the proposal to dissolve the assemblies before May 14.

Dar said the government's position on conducting elections on the same day has been shared with the PTI leaders

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 consisted of Shah Mahmood Qureshi, 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.

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

He has hoped the government-opposition poll parleys will bear fruit.

“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.

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.