‘Establishment not interested in talks with PTI’

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has said that the establishment was standing by the government, playing its role in strengthening Pakistan and having “no interest in holding talks” with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

“Today, the establishment has changed. It stands by the government. It gives priority to Pakistan’s interests and is playing a role in strengthening Pakistan,” he said a conversation with a private media outlet.

His remarks came hours after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Ali Amin Gandapur claimed that he was in talks with the establishment in a “personal capacity”.

Terming CM Gandapur’s claim “self-deception”, the minister said that the establishment clarified that it was not interested in holding talks with the PTI.    

He said that sometimes relations with “disobedient children” are not normalised.

The state minister said that nobody was engaging with the PTI, adding that Imran Khan-led party was confused and misguiding the people.   

Talal said that PTI wanted to return to power by using the shoulders of the establishment and to escape from the cases.  He also questioned the “will” of the KP government against the menace of terrorism, saying that the provincial movement could not even activate the counter-terrorism department.  

The statements also come days after jailed PTI founder Imran Khan reportedly agreed to "negotiating with the establishment", and in this regard, assigned CM Gandapur as well as KP government adviser Barrister Saif the responsibility of seeing it through. 

Reports quoted sources as saying that the development came after CM Gandapur and Saif convinced the incarcerated leader to engage in talks with the establishment, and the potential negotiations would remain confidential until any progress was made.

It may be noted that KP chief executive, who was earlier reported to be the messenger between the jailed ex-PM and establishment, met Khan at Adiala Jail on Wednesday after over a month. The meeting continued for two and a half hours as the two leaders discussed institutional confrontations and criticism of party leadership on social media. CM Gandapur also briefed Khan on provincial matters.

Meanwhile, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram dismissed reports about the meeting, saying that false claims were being circulated. "No one went to convince the PTI founder to negotiate," he told a private media outlet, rubbishing claims that Khan had tasked anyone with talks.

He condemned efforts to twist facts for the government's benefit and clarified that Khan's discussion with Gandapur revolved around provincial government and party-related matters.

"Gandapur will present Khan’s directives before the party's political committee," Akram added.

Days earlier, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar had also dismissed speculations about a deal with the establishment, clarifying that the party had "simply reestablished contacts".