Adviser to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Political Affairs, Senator Rana Sanaullah, revealed that the prime minister had extended an invitation for political talks to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) after getting the go-ahead from Nawaz Sharif and the establishment. But Sanaullah says Imran Khan isn’t interested in sitting down at the table.
Talking to reporters, Sanaullah explained that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) laid out clear procedures for meeting the jailed former prime minister—no political activity should follow these sessions. Yet, Sanaullah pointed out, things don’t always go according to plan. After these encounters, the atmosphere heats up, with press conferences popping up and even scuffles breaking out.
He noted that lawyer Salman Akram Raja had assured the court all proper procedures would be followed during these meetings. Sanaullah stressed that if the law is observed, there shouldn’t be any hurdles for these sessions to happen. He questioned why PTI doesn’t approach the court if prison officials aren’t following the IHC’s orders.
Sanaullah underlined the government’s sincerity, saying there’s no hidden agenda when it comes to the opposition leader. When Shehbaz sent out the invitation for talks, he said, some claimed the prime minister didn’t even have the authority to do so.
According to Sanaullah, the opposition now accuses the government of bringing up negotiations only after the opposition announces a movement. He added, the opposition seems convinced their campaign will win and sees the government’s talk of negotiations as a trap.
He suggested that the opposition should go ahead with its plans to ‘paralyse the wheels’ on February 5, after which talks could take place again.
Sanaullah made it clear that he believes Imran Khan has no intention of negotiating, saying the PTI avoids dialogue with the opposition whenever it’s in power. He warned Imran Khan’s confrontational approach with the state could end badly for him.
Meanwhile, Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Aeen Pakistan (TTAP) officially accepted the PM’s offer for a political dialogue on December 24, but nothing has happened since—the process is still stuck at square one.
TTAP Vice Chairman Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar declared it’s now the government’s responsibility to move forward. He said if the authorities aren’t taking their offer seriously, the opposition has essentially called their bluff. But if the government truly wants to
