Pakistan government, opposition begin talks to defuse political tension

KARACHI, Pakistan

The Pakistani government and opposition on Monday kicked off the much-awaited talks in an attempt to defuse the prevailing political tension gripping the South Asian nuclear country since 2022.

The first huddle between the government and jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) representatives began in the capital Islamabad to find ways to resolve the years-long political imbroglio.

The two sides, earlier this month, agreed to start talks following the PTI’s protest march in Islamabad to demand the release of the incarcerated former premier. The march saw casualties from both security forces and the protesters.

The speaker of the lower house - the National Assembly - who is facilitating parleys, chaired the meeting held in the parliament.

The talks will focus on the release of former premier, and the PTI supporters, and a judicial inquiry into the events of the May 9 riots and the Nov. 24 protest.

Ruling party Senator Irfan Siddiqui told reporters that the government was heading into talks with “positive expectations,” and hopes the meeting would bear “good results.”

The South Asian country has been grappling with political tensions following the ouster of Khan through a no-trust vote in April 2022.

Khan accused the US of being involved in his ouster, a charge the latter denies.

The 72-year-old former cricket star is languishing in a jail in the northeastern garrison city of Rawalpindi in multiple cases.​​​​​​​