Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has set a condition for engaging in talks with the PML-N government following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s offer to initiate dialogue with political rival Imran Khan, according to the news on Wednesday.
Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan, speaking in the National Assembly, stated that the government must release all political prisoners, including PTI founder Imran Khan, before any negotiations can commence.
Ayub Khan emphasized that the government’s dialogue offer lacks sincerity and called for the release of detained political leaders and workers as a prerequisite for meaningful discussions.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited the opposition to engage in dialogue aimed at advancing the country.
Addressing the National Assembly, he emphasized the need for constructive dialogue for national progress, recalling previous attempts to build consensus on economic reforms.
The Prime Minister also recounted personal challenges, including victimization and health issues, highlighting the difficult circumstances faced by PML-N leaders under detention.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of Pakistan advised PTI founder Imran Khan to initiate dialogue with politicians during a discussion on accountability laws. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar confirmed Imran Khan’s readiness for negotiations but reiterated the party’s stance of refusing talks with what they term ‘mandate thieves’.
Barrister Gohar criticized the government’s alleged tactics of filing numerous cases against Imran Khan, who has been in jail for nearly a year without conviction.
