ISLAMABAD: The federal government has rejected Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai’s request to hold talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at a neutral location, maintaining that the meeting must take place at the Prime Minister’s House.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said on Saturday that the PM House was a state institution rather than anyone’s personal property, defending the government’s decision to hold the proposed meeting there.
Prime Minister Shehbaz recently renewed his offer of dialogue with the opposition during a joint sitting of parliament, where he met Achakzai and exchanged a warm handshake with him.
The prime minister also voiced concern over the prolonged delay in appointing the chief election commissioner (CEC) and members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The joint sitting of parliament was held on October 15, where treasury lawmakers approved a resolution supporting the imposition of emergency measures and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by a majority vote.
Following the development, the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz Aiyeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) announced it was ending negotiations with the federal government, citing what it described as “unconstitutional measures”.
Sanaullah reiterated that the prime minister was prepared to meet Achakzai at the PM House, ruling out any alternative venue. He described the opposition leader’s insistence on another location as unacceptable and said similar demands had been raised previously.
The adviser added that Shehbaz had written two letters to Achakzai concerning appointments to the Election Commission, but the government was still waiting for a response. He urged the opposition leader to communicate a suitable time for visiting the PM House, saying the government was ready to receive him.
Govt open to unconditional talks with PTI
Discussing negotiations with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Sanaullah said the government was willing to engage in unconditional dialogue with the party founded by Imran Khan.
However, he ruled out negotiations if PTI made the withdrawal of emergency measures a precondition for talks.
Sanaullah claimed that PTI had previously failed to give the dialogue process a meaningful chance. He added that the arrangements introduced under the emergency would be allowed an appropriate period to operate.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continuing counterterrorism operations, saying dialogue with PTI could move forward if the party cooperated in efforts to combat terrorism.
Govt did not block PTI’s long march, says Talal Chaudhry
Separately, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said the federal government had not prevented PTI from organising a long march, urging the party instead to engage in discussions on counterterrorism.
“Whether you hold a long march or a short march, we have no problem with that, but discuss terrorism,” Chaudhry said while speaking to the media in Jaranwala.
He maintained that the government had made every effort to advance negotiations with PTI and stressed that terrorism must be condemned in all its forms.
The minister noted that politicians and members of various religious parties had been targeted in terrorist attacks. He also claimed that PTI leaders and gatherings had not faced similar attacks.
Chaudhry referred to reported remarks by the incarcerated PTI founder about establishing an office for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Pakistan. He further claimed that the banned group had issued a statement opposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and expressing support for PTI.
He said the objective of imposing governor’s rule was to eliminate terrorism in the province, adding that state institutions would take action against those supporting terrorist organisations.
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