Ceasefire only possible if PTI ends hostile campaigns,’ says Senator Irfan Siddiqui
ISLAMABAD: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has laid out clear preconditions for any political ceasefire or dialogue with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), calling on the opposition party to immediately cease all anti-state activities and form a credible, empowered negotiation team.
Senator Irfan Siddiqui, PML-N’s parliamentary leader in the Senate, said the government is not against talks but expects PTI to demonstrate seriousness.
“If PTI wants a ceasefire, it must first stop attacking the state,” Siddiqui said. “A ceasefire implies exchange of fire—yet there’s none from our side. All the aggression is coming from PTI.”
He accused PTI of attempting to undermine the country through various actions, including its role in the May 9 violence, appeals to international financial institutions to withhold support for Pakistan, and online campaigns targeting state institutions.
“PTI reached out to the IMF urging it to block funds. They’ve lobbied the European Parliament and US lawmakers against Pakistan and unleashed malicious propaganda online. If they want peace, these actions must stop,” Siddiqui asserted.
He stressed that PML-N remains open to dialogue, but only if PTI presents a legitimate and authorised negotiating team. “We’ve never shut the door on talks. The prime minister has made a public offer for negotiations—we don’t believe in backchannel diplomacy,” he said.
Recalling previous attempts, Siddiqui noted: “PTI approached the Speaker of the National Assembly, agreed on a negotiation framework, and then abruptly walked away. That was their own initiative.”
He also criticised PTI’s internal structure for stalling the process. “The real issue is that no one in PTI has decision-making authority. Even after appointing a chairman, every decision still runs through their founder. Each group returns with new directions—it’s not how talks can succeed.”
“If PTI is genuinely interested in resolving issues, we are ready. But if their aim is to stage political drama and then walk out, nothing will come of it,” Siddiqui concluded. “There is no obstacle from our side. The disarray within PTI leadership is the core problem.”
