Indirect Dialogue
ISLAMABAD: Rebuking reports of an indirect dialogue with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman, Barrister Gohar Khan, clarified that his party has not offered any talks to the ruling party.
Barrister Gohar emphasized, “The PTI neither offered to engage in talks [with the ruling party] nor sought any favors [from them].”
He further elaborated that during a recent meeting with National Assembly (NA) Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, the only discussions that took place were related to matters concerning the National Assembly.
These remarks were made in response to recent media reports suggesting the possibility of dialogue between PTI, founded by Imran Khan, and its political archrival, the PML-N.
Contradicting PTI’s position, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman and chief of the PTI-led opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Aiyeen-e-Pakistan, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, confirmed that an offer of negotiations was made by the PML-N.
According to a report, on Sunday, Achakzai stated, “All the political leadership, including Nawaz Sharif, is on the same page with regard to the Constitution. I have met Rana Sanaullah.
There is no other way to take the country forward except through negotiations.” Achakzai also noted that PTI had selected him to lead the negotiations and expressed disappointment that the party did not respond positively to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s offer for talks. He asserted that the stance of PTI leadership, apart from Imran Khan, on opposing dialogue was insignificant.
Despite Achakzai’s assertions, the possibility of negotiations between PTI and PML-N remains uncertain. Imran Khan, currently incarcerated, has consistently rejected the idea of negotiations with the Nawaz Sharif-led PML-N, stating he would only engage in talks with those who hold real power in the country.
In a statement last month, Khan underscored his willingness to engage in talks, but strictly within the framework outlined by the Constitution. “Achakzai will only [hold] talks with political parties,” he had said.
Meanwhile, senior PML-N leaders have also expressed reservations about the prospects of dialogue with PTI. Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, speaking separately a day earlier, voiced opposition to any such discussions.
Iqbal even conditioned the talks with an apology from PTI for allegedly inciting the violent protests on May 9 of the previous year.
Asif, while highlighting that he was not part of the team assigned to negotiate with the PkMAP chairman, made it clear that he was against any dialogue with PTI.
Further clarifying his meeting with the NA Speaker, Barrister Gohar reiterated that there was no discussion on the potential for dialogue. “No PTI member of parliament is in contact with the PML-N leadership over talks.
Neither the PTI’s parliamentary leadership has held any negotiations with the PML-N, nor do [we] have such a wish,” the PTI chairman maintained.
In a separate statement, however, the PTI chief noted, “We have not been told by anyone, but the formation of a government committee for negotiations is a good thing.”
This statement adds another layer of ambiguity to the already complex political dynamics, leaving the door slightly ajar for potential discussions in the future.
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