ISLAMABAD (MNN); Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said on Friday that several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders were inclined towards holding dialogue with the government, but jailed party founder Imran Khan remained opposed to any negotiations, even as the party stood by its plan to stage protests on February 8.
In December, PTI had rejected the idea of talks with the government, saying dialogue could only take place after the party was provided a “level-playing field” through its ongoing anti-government street movement.
Speaking on Geo News programme Naya Pakistan with Shahzad Iqbal, Rana Sanaullah said the government had remained in contact with PTI leaders regarding dialogue, adding that many within the party favoured negotiations.
“Whenever politicians sit across the table, issues are resolved and a way forward emerges,” he said.
He reiterated that while several PTI leaders supported dialogue, they consistently conveyed that Imran Khan was not willing to engage with the government at this stage.
Referring to PTI’s preparations for the February 8 protest, Sanaullah said the party’s arrangements, speeches and mobilisation efforts showed it was determined to go ahead with the demonstration and would not retreat, according to the government’s assessment.
However, he said PTI leaders believed that if they were allowed to meet Imran Khan, they might be able to persuade him to defer the protest and initiate talks with the government.
Sanaullah said that matters had progressed too far and that any dialogue or meeting with Imran Khan would only be possible after February 8, as the party was currently fully focused on protest preparations.
The former interior minister said the government would handle the protest through administrative measures and predicted that PTI’s agitation would not succeed.
He also advised PTI to re-engage in parliamentary processes and return to committee meetings from which the party had withdrawn.
Earlier, PTI leader Barrister Ali Zafar had said dialogue could not take place unless the government allowed meetings with Imran Khan. PTI maintained that its refusal to negotiate was in line with directions issued by its founder.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated his willingness to hold talks with the opposition, but stressed that any dialogue would be limited to legitimate and constitutional matters.
