Achakzai raises questions on PTI-govt talks, calls for roundtable conference

ISLAMABAD: Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai has raised serious questions about the ongoing talks between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz-led government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Talking to the media in Islamabad, Achakzai, who is also the head of the multi-party Movement for the Protection of the Constitution, questioned the legitimacy of the current government, stating that negotiations with a government lacking a legitimate mandate were pointless.

“What are the negotiations going on with a government that has no legal mandate at all?” he asked.

He went on to say, “We will pray for the success of these negotiations, but prayers often go unanswered in situations like this.”

Achakzai asked. He said that the rulers have no inkling of Pakistan’s grave political and economic situation. He suggested that a roundtable conference involving major political parties, army and judiciary to discuss the country’s critical issues.

“The rulers are ignorant of Pakistan’s current situation. They don’t understand the realities that the nation faces,” Achakzai remarked.

Achakzai further emphasised how crucial it is to improve Pakistan’s international ties. “China has good relations with Afghanistan and is our friend.” In order to forge closer bonds with our neighbours, we ought to cooperate with Beijing,” he said. In order to strengthen regional ties, he also recommended holding a roundtable conference of a similar nature with other nations, such as Russia and India.

Achakzai talked on the role of Shehbaz Sharif in politics saying, “Shehbaz Sharif is our friend, but he was willing to become prime minister during Pervez Musharraf’s era.” He revealed that Nawaz Sharif had prevented Shehbaz from assuming that role. He, however, added that Nawaz Sharif has stepped back now.

It should be noted that the second round of talks between the federal government and the PTI ended up without a breakthrough as the PTI sought more time to present its “charter of demands”, after meeting party chief Imran Khan, at the next meeting.

The in-camera meeting of the government and the PTI was held under the chair of National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq at the Parliament House on Thursday.

The meeting followed the December 23 talks between the both sides and aimed at continuing dialogue to ease political tension in the country. The PTI was supposed to present its demands in writing, as the first round of talks reportedly ended on a positive note.

However, instead of putting its charter of demands, the PTI requested the government to grant more time for holding consultation with party founder Imran Khan to finalise its demands.