Nawaz open to negotiations with Imran: report
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif is open to negotiating with political rival and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, a private media outlet has claimed amid reports of a high-level backdoor meeting between the government and PTI.
According to reports, significant progress has been made as the government, PTI and the establishment have all acknowledged the need for dialogue.
Nawaz, who had previously rejected the possibility of talks with the PTI along with his daughter and Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz, has now showed willingness to negotiate with Khan, reports quoted a senior PML-N leader as saying.
A high-level backchannel meeting, a separate report claimed, was also held between the government and the PTI.
It quoted sources as saying that the meeting was attended by two important players of the government, including a minister and another official, whereas the PTI was represented by a key party leader.
On the outcome of the meeting held Wednesday night, the report added, PTI would have to choose whether it wished to continue with the politics of agitation and confrontation or it really wanted reconciliation.
While there currently are no visible signs that official negotiations between all stakeholders will begin any time soon, events from the night of November 26 during PTI’s violent march on Islamabad, remain a bone of contention between both sides.
Despite the events, reports said, both the government and PTI agree that reducing political tensions through dialogue was essential.
The PTI founder has already formed a committee to hold talks with the government which, reports said, reflects the party's realisation that its current policy of confrontation could no longer be continued.
Similarly, the government and the establishment recognise that the PTI remains a popular party, and it cannot be eliminated via continuous conflict.
According to reports, both sides will have to compromise. The PTI must recognise the government's mandate and abandon its immediate demand for elections, while the government must step back from its efforts to exclude Khan from politics.
It may be noted that National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has also offered to mediate between both sides, saying that his office and home were always available for it.
Following the speaker's statement, reports quoted sources as saying that a parliamentary committee was likely to be formed to initiate formal negotiations. The committee will be entrusted with full authority to deliberate on key negotiation points and make decisions regarding the talks.