Dialogue Initiation
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan expressed strong criticism of the government, accusing it of lacking commitment to initiate meaningful dialogue.
Speaking to the media outside the Anti-Terrorism Court in Islamabad on Saturday, Khan emphasized that the PTI had approached the government with sincerity and a genuine desire to engage in discussions. He said, “The PTI reached out with goodwill, intent on beginning a constructive dialogue.”
Khan noted that the PTI had shown openness and a sincere approach during previous discussions. “We sat down for talks with clear intentions and open hearts,” he added. However, despite their efforts, Khan lamented that the government had not reciprocated these gestures.
He pointed out that the PTI had specifically requested the government to announce the formation of a judicial commission within a seven-day timeframe. Unfortunately, Khan claimed, the government did not take any action on this request.
He further stressed that if the government was unwilling to form the judicial commission, there was little point in continuing with what he termed as “mere photo sessions” or “hollow exchanges.” He called on the government to show genuine commitment to initiating real dialogue that could address the issues at hand.
In the meantime, PTI’s Secretary General Salman Akram Raja added to the criticism by announcing that opposition members would not be participating in the upcoming fourth round of talks with the government.
Raja made it clear in a media statement outside a court in Islamabad, “We are not going to attend the talks on January 28. We have a clear stance on this matter.” He criticized the government further, accusing the ruling party of trying to avoid the truth. “They want to escape from facing the facts,” Raja remarked, adding that the opposition was intent on bringing the truth to light.
Raja also alluded to the general elections held on February 8 of the previous year, urging that the public should be fully informed about the events surrounding those elections.
He emphasized that the opposition would continue to explore all available options and strategies for future actions, signaling that the next steps would be formulated in response to the government’s actions or lack thereof.
In conclusion, both Gohar Ali Khan and Salman Akram Raja made it clear that the PTI would not engage in empty talks without substantive steps from the government.
They voiced their frustration with the government’s reluctance to address the core issues, particularly the formation of a judicial commission, and vowed to keep pressing for the truth to be brought to the forefront.
