Summary National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq says negotiations and back-channel contacts are continuing as he expresses hope for political reconciliation.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has expressed hope for political reconciliation, saying dialogue and back-channel contacts are continuing.
Speaking to the media after meeting Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Ayaz Sadiq said he had visited him to congratulate him on performing Umrah and pray for the country's betterment.
He said Fazlur Rehman was like a brother to him and rejected the impression that he had been forgotten after the PML-N came into government.
The National Assembly speaker said he had wanted to meet Fazlur Rehman earlier, but the JUI-F chief had been in Sukkur for organisational activities and public gatherings.
Asked about efforts for political reconciliation, Ayaz Sadiq said he remained hopeful, adding that he had seen avenues for improvement emerging over the past two to three years and hoped further opportunities would emerge for Pakistan.
He said some negotiations were underway, including back-channel contacts, while communication also continued through phone calls and discussions with colleagues in the National Assembly.
Ayaz Sadiq said he prayed that Allah would guide the country towards whatever was best for Pakistan.
He also acknowledged Fazlur Rehman's role in the formation of the government, saying it would be incorrect to claim that the PML-N had forgotten him after coming to power. He added that Fazlur Rehman's son had been his colleague and his nephew was also like family to him.
