Govt, PTI talks resume after break, Allama Nasir says solution to crisis rests with govt

ISLAMABAD: Talks between the federal government and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) resumed after a break for Friday prayers.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Opposition Leader in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and PTI leaders Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, Amir Dogar and Haleem Adil Sheikh are representing the opposition, while Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, PM’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and Pakistan People’s Party Senator Sherry Rehman are representing the government.

Talking to reporters during the break, Allama Nasir Abbas said that the government was responsible for resolving the ongoing political crisis through negotiations.

The talks are being held amid rumours and repeated statements by government dignitaries about a possible emergency or imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the wake of PTI’s planned long march.

Allama Nasir, who is taking part in the negotiation on behalf of the joint opposition led by the PTI, stressed that talks so far held between the two sides should remain confidential.

“Things discussed during negotiations are confidential,” Allama Nasir said.

He said that even major crises could be resolved through dialogue, adding that it was now up to the government to determine how it wanted to salvage the ongoing talks.

“The government needs to show how serious it is about the ongoing negotiations,” he said.

The opposition leader said that it was the government’s responsibility to restore peace and end the prevailing crises and uncertainty.

He stressed that the government should approach the talks with sincerity and good intentions to find a way out of the current situation.

Allama Nasir also said that the PTI’s October 4 long march remained intact and could not be called off at this stage.

Earlier, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry met National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Friday to discuss the political and law-and-order situation.

PTI entering talks “in good faith”

Earlier, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan said the party was ready to talk to the government “in good faith” despite its demands not having been accepted so far.

“Every political party has its own political objectives. Our demands have not been accepted, but today we are going to meet the government in good faith and without any conditions,” he told reporters.

Gohar said the country’s ongoing political issues could be resolved if PTI was given justice.

“If we get justice, it will be possible to resolve the issues,” he said, reiterating that the party was approaching the government with sincerity.

Long march’s fate tied to outcome of talks

Gohar said that the government’s approach during the negotiations would determine PTI’s future course of action regarding its proposed long march, signalling that the party’s next steps hinge directly on how the talks unfold.

Commenting on reports regarding the possible imposition of emergency or grovernor’s rule, Barrister Gohar expressed disappointment over a recent statement by a minister on the matter, saying such discussion was concerning even in the absence of a PTI long march.

He also condemned terrorism, saying any militant violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or elsewhere in the country was harmful to Pakistan.

“Whether terrorism takes place in our province or in any other part of the country, it is a loss for Pakistan,” he said. “We, and our government, are against terrorism under all circumstances.”