Days after the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz dismissed claims of receiving directives from its leader to initiate talks with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and other parties, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah stated that “Nawaz Sharif wants unconditional dialogue with all parties, including PTI.”
In an interview with a local TV channel on Wednesday, Sanaullah emphasized that the PML-N had consistently maintained this position in discussions with PTI lawmakers in the National Assembly.
Sanaullah’s comments followed a denial from Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who had rejected the notion that Nawaz Sharif instructed the ruling party to pursue negotiations with PTI.
Asif also stated that no progress could be made in talks unless PTI issued an apology for the violent incidents of May 9. He further noted that the Prime Minister had even suggested a charter of economy to PTI, which went unanswered by Imran Khan and his ministers.
Sanaullah mentioned that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended an offer for unconditional talks two weeks ago, meeting with various stakeholders in an effort to address the country’s crisis. He reiterated that Nawaz Sharif had also advocated for dialogue at a recent top leadership meeting of the PML-N.
The PM’s adviser urged PTI to adopt a more flexible attitude to facilitate meaningful negotiations.
This statement came amid reports that the PML-N had allegedly reached out to Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai, who was nominated by the imprisoned Imran Khan to mediate talks with the ruling parties. Sanaullah confirmed that discussions with Achakzai were ongoing and that the PkMAP leader was also interested in moving forward.
Sanaullah affirmed the PML-N’s commitment to democracy and dialogue as the means to resolve political issues.
Regarding the resignation of Balochistan National Party (BNP-M) chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Sanaullah acknowledged that it might be challenging for Mengal to retract his resignation quickly.
Mengal had resigned from the lower house of parliament over dissatisfaction with the situation in Balochistan, expressing a lack of confidence in the state, the president, and the prime minister.
Despite Mengal’s insistence on his resignation after a meeting with a government delegation led by Sanaullah, the government promised to prioritize resolving issues in Balochistan and assured Mengal that his role in parliament remained crucial to the province.
