ISLAMABAD: The federal government has once again extended an offer for dialogue to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), emphasising that the doors for negotiations have never been closed.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq confirmed that the government’s negotiation committee remains intact and has not been dissolved.
Speaking to the media, Ayaz Sadiq said that despite political differences, PTI members are still in contact with the government. He also highlighted that the initiative for talks must come from within PTI itself.
“If approval comes from within the PTI, then they will approach us,” he stated.
Referring to PTI Founder Imran Khan, Sadiq acknowledged that he is a tough negotiator, but reaffirmed that channels of communication remain open.
On Jan 31, Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah had also expressed the government’s readiness to engage in talks with the PTI, regardless of whether the party approached for negotiations after two or 10 days.
Expressing his thoughts on Samaa TV programme, ‘Mere Sawal With Absar Alam’, Rana Sana said: “If the PTI contacts us for talks, the government will be prepared.”
He further said that the PTI founder could not be removed from politics.
A day ago, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had said in a federal cabinet meeting that the government had accepted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) offer for dialogue and even formed a committee for negotiations. However, the PTI backed out of the scheduled meeting on January 28, refusing to participate, he added.
“They ran away after setting the date. We said we will respond to them in writing,” he had said, adding that past political investigations, including those from 2018, were never pursued properly. He also questioned why the PTI’s 2014 sit-in is overlooked when discussing political matters.
“The committee formed for investigation in 2018 did not hold a single meeting,” he remarked, adding that they should look at their own conduct first. “We are ready to form a house committee.”
“If they talk about November 26, 2024, then the 2014 sit-in should also be considered. We sincerely want the negotiations to move forward,” he stressed.
However, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar had rejected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s offer of forming the parliamentary committee. Speaking exclusively to Samaa TV, Barrister Gohar had termed it unrelated to the party’s demands. “The prime minister spoke on an irrelevant subject today,” stated Gohar. He maintained that the prime minister’s statement did not align with PTI’s demands.
Gohar had clarified that PTI had not included any demand concerning elections or mandate in its charter of demand. “Our demand was the establishment of a judicial commission and the release of imprisoned party members,” he asserted.
Gohar had categorically stated that the PTI would not consider the prime minister’s unrelated offer. He further accused the government of delaying negotiations and missing a crucial opportunity.
PTI leader Shibli Faraz had also dismissed the proposal of forming a house committee, stating that such an approach was not appropriate. “A house committee is not the right way to proceed,” Shibli Faraz asserted, criticising the government’s approach. He remarked that the prime minister’s true stance was reflected in his behaviour towards other political parties.
