Achakzai
As the pivotal negotiations between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) enter their third round, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, leader of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) and an ally of the PTI, has cast doubt on the legitimacy of the talks.
Speaking to journalists in Islamabad alongside Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) Chairman Allama Raja Nasir Abbas on Friday, Achakzai questioned the rationale behind engaging with a government he described as lacking a “legitimate mandate.”
“What is the point of negotiating with a government that does not have a legitimate mandate?” he asked.
Achakzai’s remarks come on the heels of the second round of dialogue between PTI and the government. National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq had described the discussions as cordial, with PTI representatives emphasizing their demands.
These include the release of political prisoners and a judicial investigation into the events of May 9, 2023, and the November 26 crackdown. However, PTI has yet to formally present these demands in writing, citing the need for further consultation with its leader, Imran Khan.
The PTI has set a firm deadline, stating that the talks must yield results by the end of the month. The negotiations follow the party’s announcement of a potential civil disobedience movement if its demands remain unmet.
Last month, Imran Khan, who remains incarcerated, called on his supporters to launch the movement by withholding remittances as a first step.
In his media briefing, Achakzai expressed skepticism about the negotiations’ success. “We will pray for the success of the talks, but in such cases, prayers are not accepted,” he remarked.
He further criticized Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, claiming that the premier had once been ready to assume office under former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf, only to be stopped by Nawaz Sharif. According to Achakzai, Nawaz has since “backed down.”
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi voiced his doubts about the dialogue process.
Speaking to journalists in Peshawar, Kundi noted that while negotiations remain the only viable path to resolving long-standing political issues, he saw little hope for a resolution or an NRO-like deal for PTI.
Despite the government and PTI’s efforts to engage in dialogue, skepticism from both allies and critics highlights the challenges in achieving a meaningful breakthrough in the ongoing political crisis.
