Pakistan PM Sharif holds icebreaker meeting with opposition PTI leader

The meeting was the first sign of the PTI and Sharif’s PMLN parties showing a willingness to accept their differences.

Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistan’s newly elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday held a meeting with a leader of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, marking the first attempt at an icebreaker between the firm political rivals after February’s contested elections.

Less than two weeks ago, Ali Amin Gandapur, the chief minister of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and a PTI leader, had refused to participate in Sharif’s oath-taking ceremony.

On Wednesday, however, both Gandapur and Sharif appeared reconciliatory.

The federal government will fulfil all “genuine” demands of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which borders Afghanistan, said a statement issued by Sharif’s office.

Speaking to media after the meeting, Gandapur said that the prime minister assured him of working together for the “betterment of the people”.

“I also told him that it is necessary to engage with [former Prime Minister] Imran Khan to resolve political matters, to which he responded positively and said the meeting with him will be made possible,” he said.

The PTI has alleged rigging in the elections to favour Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN), and has staged protests demanding a recount of votes. The party has challenged the results of dozens of constituencies in court.

Khan’s party was stripped of its electoral symbol days before elections, forcing it to field candidates as independents, and its electoral campaign faced a crackdown by authorities. Khan has been behind bars since August last year, and days before the election was convicted on lengthy prison terms. Khan has dubbed the