PTI leader Asad Qaiser has called on the government to publicly announce its readiness to engage in negotiations with the PTI, while also expressing his party\u2019s willingness to consider constitutional amendments for adjustments to the election schedule beyond the 90-day requirement under the law.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want the government to sit together [for talks on elections] and we are also ready for a constitutional amendment, if for one time, the [polls] can be extended beyond 90 days. What more flexibility can we offer?\u201d he said during an interview with DawnNewsTV\u2019s Adil Shahzeb on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The PTI leader said it was the responsibility of the government to officially make a move for [talks] and the PM must announce that they want to hold talks. \u201cThen we will sit and settle the matters together \u2014 this is the need of the hour that political leaders talk things out.\u201d<\/p>\n
The prospect of negotiations between the government and the PTI-led opposition were hinted at two weeks ago, after both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PTI Chairman Imran Khan displayed some flexibility in their stance towards talks.<\/p>\n
Imran had said he was ready to talk to everyone except the \u201cthieves and looters\u201d and tweeted that he would not shy away from making any sacrifice for the country\u2019s best interests, progress, and democracy. \u201cIn this context, I am ready to take every step forward and talk to anyone,\u201d he had stated.<\/p>\n
Imran\u2019s offer for talks had come a day after PM Shehbaz extended an olive branch to the PTI chief, emphasising that all political forces would have to sit for dialogue to rid the country of the ongoing political and economic crises.<\/p>\n
As part of his push for negotiations, Qaiser asserted that the PTI is ready to confront any obstacles that may arise, but he highlighted the importance of prioritising the country and its citizens.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe [Imran] has repeatedly spoken about the need for negotiations, but unfortunately, his calls for talks are often misunderstood as a sign of weakness,\u201d Qaiser remarked.<\/p>\n
Qaiser questioned, \u201cWhat will become of our country? At the end of the day, politics should be for the betterment of the nation and its people.\u201d<\/p>\n
He claimed that the government\u2019s decision to flout court orders on the Punjab poll date would be unconstitutional and indicative of a government that is only focused on its own interests, further eroding its popularity and paving the way for its \u201cpolitical demise\u201d.<\/p>\n
The PTI leader emphasised the importance of adhering to the law with regard to the election date. He argued that even a small fluctuation in the poll date must be approved according to the law to ensure that the election is conducted in a manner that is fair and just, and free from any objections.<\/p>\n
Qaiser said anyone losing polls must not raise a hue and cry over the result. \u201cThis is what we want.\u201d<\/p>\n
He criticised the government\u2019s \u201cconfrontational approach\u201d and stressed the need for constructive dialogue. He also highlighted the PTI\u2019s willingness to support a constitutional amendment for the poll date extension, saying it demonstrated the party\u2019s commitment to a fair and transparent election process.<\/p>\n
The former National Assembly speaker, however, expressed doubts about the government\u2019s commitment to resolving the ongoing political crisis through constructive dialogue. He questioned whether the government was truly interested in ending the crisis and initiating talks, stressing that the needs of Pakistan and its people must take precedence.<\/p>\n
Qaiser said he believed that those at the helm were \u201cfar removed from sanity\u201d. The frustration boiling in the country is dangerous and this will sweep everyone away, he told the interviewer.<\/p>\n
He also voiced his apprehensions about the prevailing political situation, stating his belief that those in power were not thinking clearly. He cautioned that the simmering frustration among the masses was reaching a \u201cdangerous level\u201d, and posed a significant threat to the country\u2019s stability.<\/p>\n
He insisted on the importance of national unity in creating an environment that was conducive to fair and transparent elections, and acceptable to all stakeholders. He highlighted the need for the people of the country to exercise their right to choose their leaders and determine the future of the country.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PTI leader Asad Qaiser has called on the government to publicly announce its readiness to engage in negotiations with the PTI, while also expressing his party\u2019s willingness to consider constitutional amendments for adjustments to the election schedule beyond the 90-day requirement under the law. \u201cWe want the government to sit together [for talks on elections] […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":178885,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-324189","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n