ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken a practical step towards initiating dialogue between the government and the opposition by inviting National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai for mandatory consultations on the appointment of a new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), a source close to the prime minister told Dawn on Thursday.
However, the opposition leader has so far not responded to the prime minister’s invitation.
Interestingly, the invitation was extended days before the PTI-led long march towards Islamabad on Sept 27.
“Yes, the prime minister invited him (Achakzai) for consultation,” the source said.
A few days ago, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, during an NA session, stressed the need for political harmony and stability and expressed the desire for the prime minister to initiate dialogue with the opposition by, as a first step, inviting the opposition leader for consultations on the appointment of a new CEC.
