Islamabad: Government members and senior PML-N leaders have expressed conditional willingness for talks with PTI, demanding the withdrawal of the civil disobedience announcement.
Advisor to the Prime Minister and senior PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah stated that when the government offered talks, PTI responded by saying the government has no standing, adding that reaching out to a political party does not mean negotiations; however, solutions can only emerge through dialogue at the table.
Rana Sanaullah said that communication between political parties never ceases entirely, but communication cannot always be termed as negotiations.
He added that until arriving in Islamabad, there was contact with PTI, but these contacts cannot be called negotiations. When the government proposed talks, PTI questioned the government’s worth and authority to negotiate.
Rana Sanaullah mentioned that the Prime Minister had offered negotiations to PTI on the floor of the house a month and a half ago, inviting them to sit and talk. Now, it is heard that PTI has decided to negotiate with the government, but earlier, they were discussing negotiations with the establishment. Solutions emerge when one sits at the negotiation table.
Senate Parliamentary Leader Senator Irfan Siddiqui said negotiations cannot occur while the civil disobedience movement is pending; PTI must abandon old methods.
He added that they are welcome if PTI wants to talk, but PTI needs to restore trust.
PTI Senator Ali Zafar said the doors for dialogue should not close, and negotiations can progress if a climate of trust is established, which the government can foster.
Senator Talal Chaudhry opposed negotiations, terming them a drama and a deception, claiming that the efforts for talks are to protect Faiz Hameed.
PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai once again warned the government to act sensibly and initiate talks. He added that if the government does not take the lead in negotiations, they should prepare for civil disobedience starting December 14.
