Search
National

Kabhi haan kabhi na; Attaullah Tarar rules out govt-PTI talks

News Desk

Dec 12

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has ruled out reports that the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led government was recently engaged in negotiations with the leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).     

 

In a telephonic interview with Geo News' Shahzeb Khanzada, Attaullah Tarar said, “No meeting took place between PM Shehbaz Sharif and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq at the latter's residence.”    

 

The Minister's remarks came after reports claimed that meetings took place between the National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and the former ruling party's Asad Qaiser, Omer Ayub Khan and Chief Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Sahibzada Hamid Raza at the Speaker House in the federal capital yesterday.    

 

Sources told Geo News that the meeting took place after telephone contact was established between Asad Qaiser and Ayaz Sadiq.      Following the “icebreaker” meeting, PTI and the government expressed willingness to sit together on the dialogue table with no preconditions ahead of Imran Khan's civil disobedience movement call, the insiders claimed.    

 

“They [PTI leadership] are looking to dodge their political failures. How can anyone trust the PTI or their guarantees," Tarar asked.    

 

Civil disobedience movement call  

Imprisoned Imran Khan, on Thursday (November 5), warned the government on X (formerly Twitter) that his party would begin a “civil disobedience movement” if two demands were not met.    

 

He demanded the formation of a judicial commission for a transparent investigation of May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024, and the release of under-trial political prisoners.     

 

“If these two demands are not accepted, a civil disobedience movement will be launched from December 14,” the founder of the former ruling party warned, adding that the government would be responsible for the results of the movement.    

 

PTI ended its three-day-long march on Tuesday (November 26) after security forces initiated a crackdown on PTI demonstrators. However, after the protest march concluded, several casualties were reported, including the three Rangers personnel and a police official.    

 

According to PTI, 12 party followers were dead. Meanwhile, the PML-N government denied that there were casualties.    

 

Additionally, the former premier on Thursday post also announced a “grand gathering” in Peshawar on December 13 to “pay homage to the martyrs” that PTI believe were the victims of the state offensive grand operation during last week's party protest at Islamabad, adding, “all opposition parties will be invited to attend.”

Related


Read more