Govt\u2019s approach for talks reflects \u201cpolitical panic and intellectual collapse,\u201d says party spokesperson
\n ISLAMABAD
\nPakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has rejected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif\u2019s offer for negotiations, calling the government\u2019s approach a reflection of \u201cpolitical panic and intellectual collapse.\u201d
\nIn a statement, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said the government was using the offer of talks as a \u201cdouble game\u201d and an attempt to mislead the public rather than sincerely resolve the country\u2019s political crisis.
\nThe statement came a day after the prime minister reiterated his offer for talks with the opposition but emphasised that dialogue between the two sides could only proceed on \u201clegitimate matters.\u201d
\nAddressing a federal cabinet meeting, PM Shehbaz said that PTI founder Imran Khan and his associates were also discussing holding talks. The prime minister said that he had previously invited PTI leaders for dialogue and had also extended the invitation on the National Assembly floor.
\n\u201cDiscussions could only be held on legitimate demands. Blackmailing will not work under the guise of negotiations, said the prime minister.
\nIn today\u2019s statement, Akram maintained that the government should refrain from imposing preconditions for talks, stressing that genuine dialogue cannot take place under coercive terms.
\nHe further said that demanding an apology from the former ruling party reflected the rulers\u2019 confusion, fear and lack of political direction.
\nCalling the offer contradictory and insincere, Akram said PTI viewed the proposal as a continuation of the government\u2019s double standards rather than a sincere attempt at political reconciliation.
\n\u201cPTI would not, under any circumstances, engage in negotiations with the current government,\u201d he noted.
\nThe information secretary added that if the government was serious about resolving the country\u2019s ongoing political and constitutional crises through dialogue, it should instead approach Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan.
\nIn this regard, he suggested that the authorities could initiate contact with leaders such as Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.
\nAt a national conference of the opposition alliance held on Saturday, its head, Achakzai, declared that the Constitution had been reduced to tatters. Achakzai urged former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to step forward and initiate dialogue to steer the country out of crisis.
\nHowever, PTI founder Imran Khan dismissed Mahmood Khan Achakzai\u2019s call for dialogue. \u201cMy message for Sohail Afridi is to prepare for a street movement. The entire nation must rise for their rights!!,\u201d a post on Imran\u2019s X handle read.
\nWhen approached, Akram said that since the policy direction for a protest movement has come directly from party leader Imran, it will prevail, The News reported.
\nAkram explained that Achakzai may proceed with his own political initiatives, including dialogue, but PTI leaders are bound to follow Imran Khan\u2019s latest directive.
\nAccording to Akram, Imran has instructed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister to prepare for a protest movement for the rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Govt\u2019s approach for talks reflects \u201cpolitical panic and intellectual collapse,\u201d says party spokesperson ISLAMABAD Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has rejected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif\u2019s offer for negotiations, calling the government\u2019s approach a reflection of \u201cpolitical panic and intellectual collapse.\u201d In a statement, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said the government was using the offer […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-521832","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n