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Tag: PTI

  • Sher Afzal Marwat unleashes furious attack on Salman Akram Raja

    Sher Afzal Marwat unleashes furious attack on Salman Akram Raja

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Marwat hit back at lawyer Salman Akram Raja in retaliation on Thursday, declaring his appointment as party secretary general was not in accordance with the party constitution.

    Appearing on the ARY News programme Khabar, PTI firebrand Sher Afzal Marwat stated that, according to the party constitution, Salman Akram Raja cannot become the party’s secretary general. “Only the elected person who has contested an intra-party election is eligible for the position of party secretary-general,” he explained.

    He went on to say that Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan and Firdous Shamim Naqvi are public officeholders. “Salman Akram Raja is a stranger [to the party],” he added.

    Earlier, lawyer Salman Akram Raja, while speaking on the ARY News programme Off The Record on the same day, downplayed Marwat’s claims, which he recently linked to party founder Imran Khan, saying, “Only two or four party members are deemed capable of having the right to speak about the party.

    “Marwat statement has nothing to do with the party’s official narrative. His [Marwat] statements are unimportant,” Raja said.

    Following statements from Raja, who questioned Marwat’s understanding of the party’s policy matters, Marwat assailed him.

    The PTI senior leader accused Raja of terminating him in the middle of the Iddat case when Raja was representing former premier Imran Khan. Raja then took over the case himself.

    “I will give him a befitting reply if he speaks against me again,” Marwat said.

    When asked whether PTI founder Imran Khan is aware of Marwat’s claims about Salman Akram Raja’s unconstitutional appointment as party secretary general, Marwat said, “I will meet Khan Sahib tomorrow and inform him about Salman Akram Raja’s appointment. I am sure Khan Sahib will not tolerate any violation of the party constitution.”

    The PTI firebrand also alleged that YouTuber Adil Raja is an Indian intelligence agent and questioned, “Why do they [pseudo-PTI social media activists] expect me to defend them on TV when they regularly abuse me on social media?”

    “How can he — who was Nawaz Sharif’s lawyer in the Panama case, Khawaja Asif [now Defence Minister], and PML-N’s Nausheen Iftikhar against PTI’s candidate Asjad Malhi — taunt me?” he mocked.

  • This top leader believes Imran’s sister, wife Bushra want him to stay in jail

    This top leader believes Imran’s sister, wife Bushra want him to stay in jail

    Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has claimed the existence of two separate groups within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), alleging they wanted party founder Imran Khan to stay in jail so that they could “take over the party”.

    Appearing on a private news channel, the PM’s aide claimed that the groups, led by Khan’s sister Aleema Khan and wife Bushra Bibi, wanted the incarcerated premier to stay in jail forever. “They [Aleema and Bushra groups] want Khan to remain in jail. In fact, they want him to stay there forever because after that, they could take over the entire party.”

    He went on to say that the general public deserved to know this.

    When asked about Aleema’s alleged leaked chats criticising Bushra and suggesting to ban her from visiting Khan in jail, Sanaullah said that the ongoing talks between the government and PTI had left some people within the party worried.

    “Some people in the PTI are worried and want talks between the government and the PTI to not be successful. These are the same people who are spokespersons of Khan outside [Adiala Jail],” he said and went on to claim that according to the leaked chats, they wanted Khan to stay in the same situation.

    “In fact, they want Khan to be in a much worse situation,” he added.

    To a question about the authenticity of the leaked chats, Sanaullah said that the government also only saw the alleged chats on social media. “[Then] I got them verified from my sources,” he added.

    “If Aleema Khan says these screenshots are fake then she should come out and defend herself. I would be glad if she could prove her innocence. Because it is extremely unfortunate that, even though he [Imran Khan] is our opponent, his close relatives and allies are betraying him.”

    When asked about his recent press conference and newfound sympathy for the jailed former premier, Sanaullah said he wanted the public to know that these were the kind of people surrounding Imran Khan.

    “I know the cult won’t believe me but a common person must know that this is the kind of party that ruled over the country for nearly three years,” he said.

  • Imran Khan’s recent tweets causing delay in him meeting negotiations committee, says Sher Afzal Marwat

    Imran Khan’s recent tweets causing delay in him meeting negotiations committee, says Sher Afzal Marwat

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Marwat stated on Tuesday that the party’s negotiation committee meeting with former premier Imran Khan is delayed due to the party founder’s recent tweets.

    Speaking on the ARY News programme 11th Hour, Marwat said that the government had not expected Imran Khan’s harsh tweets when the PTI was already involved in negotiations with them.

    Founder PTI Imran Khan on Tuesday hit out at Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif in a post on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “In order to save the bogus and fraudulent government produced by Forms 47, PTI is being relentlessly crushed, and democracy, rule of law, and judicial independence are being buried. Shehbaz Sharif is nothing more than a puppet.”

    “Even Shaukat Aziz, during Musharraf’s era, was a more powerful prime minister because, at least, elections then did not witness the level of rigging seen in February 2024. This illegitimate but fragile group propped up by the fraudulent Forms 47 is a disgrace on the name of governance,” he decried Shehbaz Sharif.

    The dialogue between the opposition party and the government was initiated two weeks ago. However, a significant development is yet to come despite two rounds of negotiations over the past couple of weeks.

    According to reports, major hurdles so far are the PTI negotiators’ lack of access to jailed Imran Khan and the party’s unwillingness to share its charter of demands with the government in writing.

    Marwat, however, maintained that the party negotiation committee meeting with Imran Khan in Adiala Jail is expected to take place in a couple of days.

    The PTI firebrand asked why Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was not included in the government negotiation committee; however, in the same breath, Marwat said, “If [Interior Minister] Mohsin Naqvi had been part of the negotiation committee, the issues surrounding the meeting with Khan wouldn’t have dragged on for so long.”

    Commenting on surveillance during the meeting with Imran Khan, Marwat explained that Islamabad High Court (IHC) has a clear direction that whenever the lawyers meet their client at the jail, there must be no camera, guard or mic in the cell.

    He said that all political parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and PTI, must sit together to find a solution to political polarisation in the country.

    PTI has so far put two key demands in talks with the government. These include the formation of a judicial commission comprising the three most senior judges of the Supreme Court to investigate the May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024, events, whereas the other demand is to release all political prisoners, including party founder Imran Khan.

  • Journalist quotes ‘powerful person’ as seeing no headway in govt-PTI talks

    Journalist quotes ‘powerful person’ as seeing no headway in govt-PTI talks

    Prominent journalist Muneeb Farooq has quoted a “powerful person” as saying that the ongoing negotiations between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will bear no fruit without former prime minister (PM) Imran Khan admitting his mistakes.

    “PTI has only one demand and that is the release of Imran Khan from jail. Their other demands do not hold any significant importance […] Khan wants to come out of jail without any restrictions,” the journalist said in a video on his YouTube channel.

    He quoted the “powerful person” as saying that PTI’s chances would improve if Khan “took ten steps back” and “admitted his past political mistakes”.

    Without revealing much details regarding the nature of his source, Farooq said that they did not belong to the incumbent government.

    Separately, the journalist also talked about incoming United States (US) government’s anticipated support for Khan. Commenting on PTI workers and leaders’ claims that President-elect Donald Trump would push for the party founder’s release, Farooq said that it would instead make things worse for the jailed leader.

    “If Trump pressurises [Pakistan] regarding Imran Khan, the state of Pakistan shall not be lenient and instead be even harsher on Imran Khan,” reports quoted him as saying.

    It merits a mention that PTI has so far put two key demands in talks with the government. These include the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024, events, whereas the other demand is to release all political prisoners, including party founder Imran Khan.

    The dialogue between the opposition party and the government was initiated two weeks ago. However, a significant development is yet to come despite two rounds of negotiations over the past couple of weeks.

    According to reports, the major hurdles so far are the PTI negotiators’ lack of access to jailed Khan and the party’s unwillingness to share its charter of demands with the government in writing.

    PTI chief Barrister Gohar, while talking to media outside Adiala Jail on Monday, said that It was necessary to meet Khan before the third round of talks.

    “Hopefully we will be able to meet Khan tomorrow,” he said, however, there hasn’t been an update in this regard as of yet.

    Meanwhile, Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza, who is also a member of the opposition’s negotiations committee, maintained that the government was in a hurry to shift Khan from Adiala Jail.

    The government continues to rubbish all claims regarding Khan’s possible transfer, including reports of an offer to shift him to his residence in Bani Gala under house arrest.

  • Shahbaz Gill was wronged, that is why he is bitter: Fawad Chaudhry

    Shahbaz Gill was wronged, that is why he is bitter: Fawad Chaudhry

    Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) federal minister Fawad Chaudhry, while appearing on Samaa TV last night, defended PTI member Shahbaz Gill’s controversial posts on social media.

    Senior journalist Absar Alam asked Chaudhry the efficacy of social media strategy in which many PTI leaders and workers were engaged in vitriol against the country, to which Fawad replied: “There needs to be a clear distinction between official PTI leaders’ social media posts and certain rogue elements who align themselves with PTI. Many of my PTI friends get angry with me when I tell them there isn’t much effort visible as it should be from PTI leaders to dissociate themselves from rogue elements.”

    Absar Alam asked the former federal minister: “Do you not think that Shahbaz Gill, Azhar Mashwani directly represent PTI? So what is the difference between their hateful social media posts and others?”

    Fawad replied: “When has Azhar Mashwani engaged in hateful posts against the country or establishment? In the case of Shahbaz Gill, a great injustice was done to him, and that is why sometimes he reacts angrily. Even you were treated unjustly. In my opinion, Shahbaz Gill is one of those people who were treated wrong and that is why they’re bitter.”

    Shahbaz Gill, who served as the spokesperson of the Punjab Government during PTI’s tenure, was arrested in August 2022, a few months after PTI government collapsed.

    The charges against Gill at the time included sections 34 (common intention), 109 (abetment), 120 (concealing design to commit offence punishable with imprisonment), 121 (waging war against state), 124-A (sedition), 131 (abetting mutiny, or attempt to seduce a soldier, sailor or airman from his duty), 153 (provoking to cause riot), 505 (statement conducing to public mischief) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

    Fawad Chaudhry alleged that Gill had been abducted by unidentified personnel in cars with missing number plates.

    Gill was hospitalised multiple times during his incarceration after he claimed “shortness of breath.” The Lahore High Court permitted Shahbaz Gill in March 2023 to travel to the United States, ordering the government to remove his name from the Exit Control List (ECL).


     
    Gill actively complains to US officials by tagging their social media handles against Pakistani authorities and journalists on his official X handle (formerly Twitter). Gill took to X on December 16 to write: “ALARMING! Pakistan’s leading TV channel @GeoTvNews has launched a vicious smear campaign against Richard Grenell  @RichardGrenell former US Ambassador to Germany, former Director National Intelligence and recently nominated as Trump’s envoy for special missions.”

    Similarly, another post on December 17 by Gill read: “Couldn’t agree more, @DarrenJBeattie! The Pakistani establishment’s smear campaign against Richard Grenell is a blatant attempt to distract from his impressive credentials & achievements. Their homophobic attacks won’t work!”


    Fawad opined that the solution to dealing with Shahbaz Gill or people like him is to engage with them. Absar Alam smiled at this reply, saying: “But you people [PTI government] did not engage with anyone when you were in power. You used to say send them to jail.”

    Chaudhry then claimed that the PTI’s tenure in power was the most relaxed era in the history of the country, during which the media earned significantly. 


    Absar Alam laughed against saying: “You’re saying this with a straight face while looking at me.” Fawad replied in a lighter tone: “But you weren’t a journalist in our times.”

    It is worth mentioning that journalist Absar Alam was shot in April 2021 near his residence in the federal capital during PTI’s tenure.

    In September 2021, Absar Alam was charged with incitement against the Pakistan Army while the Punjab Police also made a legal request to register a case of high treason against him under Article 6. 

    Fawad Chaudhry also stated: “In the past, PML-N and PPP had engaged in politics of hate, but later on they realised this cannot go on. In my opinion, there is a dominant opinion in PTI that this kind of politics cannot continue.”

  • ‘House arrest instead of jail possible if Imran Khan does not challenge system’

    ‘House arrest instead of jail possible if Imran Khan does not challenge system’

    Senior journalist and analyst Ansar Abbasi has claimed that the government could consider offering Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan the option to stay under house arrest instead of Adiala Jail if he “does not challenge the current system”.

    According to the veteran journalist, key members of the government’s negotiations team are of the view that if the jailed former premier puts an end to agitational politics, he can be moved to his residence in Bani Gala from the jail in Rawalpindi.

    However, he added, there would be no compromise on May 9 consequences or the demands against coalition government completing its five-year term.

    It merits a mention that neither the government nor the PTI has so far openly or formally discussed the possibility of house arrest for Khan, and the reports are rooted in an informal mention of the same by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif’s aide Rana Sanaullah.

    In a conversation with reporters after meeting their brother in jail, Imran Khan’s sisters Aleema Khan and Noreen Khan have also rubbished these claims besides quoting their brother as determined to not consider it an option till political prisoners belonging to the PTI were freed.

    “The proposal I received for a deal was: negotiate with us, and we will give your party ‘political space’, but you will be placed under house arrest and moved to Bani Gala. My response was that all other political prisoners must first be released. I would rather stay in jail than accept any deal. I will neither go into house arrest nor to any jail in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [sic],” read a Dec 27 post on the incarcerated former premier’s X account.

    Abbasi, in his report, also quoted sources as saying that in the Jan 2 meeting between the negotiating teams of the PTI and the ruling coalition, the government was likely express that all individuals facing serious charges, including Khan, would have to get themselves cleared from court.

    PTI, on the other hand, would come up with a formal demand for the release of all workers and leaders, primarily Khan, the report said.

    While the same could result in yet another deadlock, Senator Irfan Siddiqi, who is a part of the government’s negotiating team, told a private media outlet said that he was not aware of any proposal regarding shifting Khan to Bani Gala. 

    He said the PTI committee had been told that a majority of the current government’s members were imprisoned during the PTI government, and all of them were released through judicial process instead of an executive order.

  • Imran Khan admits govt saved country from bankruptcy

    Imran Khan admits govt saved country from bankruptcy

    Founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan acknowledged on Thursday that the incumbent federal government led by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has stabilised the country’s economy, which was on the verge of collapse in the past years.

    “The government has successfully prevented the economy from going bankrupt,” he said while speaking to journalists at Adiala Jail Rawalpindi after a hearing of the ToshaKhana case.

    On being asked whether he was conceding that the government had improved the economy, the former PM responded, “The economy has been stabilised, and it has been rescued from bankruptcy, but it has not seen growth yet.”

    The former Premier’s statement comes as the country witnesses improvement in economic indicators, with the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) touching an all-time high and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) slashing the interest rate to 13 per cent from a historic high of 23 per cent.

    A brokerage report said on Tuesday that Pakistan’s annual consumer price inflation rate is expected to drop to 4.1 per cent in December, the lowest level in more than six years.

    “We expect inflation in December to decline to 4.1 per cent YoY [year-on-year], down from last month’s 4.9 per cent. This marks the lowest inflation reading since April 2018, when it stood at 3.96 per cent,” said Arif Habib Limited in a report.

    Meanwhile, Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, clarified on Thursday that her brother will not accept house arrest.

    Speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Aleema Khan said that knowing that rumours had been spread that her brother would be shifted to Bani Gala or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Khan made it clear that he will not accept house arrest or be moved from jail.

    “I am clarifying that all political prisoners be released, and if they want to keep me in jail, they can, but I will not agree to house arrest,” Aleema Khan quoted her brother as saying.

    She also stated that her brother expressed concern over the reported airstrike by Pakistani jets near the Pak-Afghan border and said that the country’s economic development is linked to peace in Afghanistan.
    “Such actions in Afghanistan will destroy peace in Pakistan as well as have a direct impact on the country’s economy,” she said while quoting Imran Khan.

    When questioned about the first phase of the civil disobedience movement aimed to halt remittances, Aleema said that Khan made it crystal clear that the remittance campaign would only end once the government addresses Khan’s two demands: the release of PTI workers and the formation of a judicial commission comprising three senior-most judges of the Supreme Court, to probe the event of May 9 and November 26.

  • Which PTI leader did Fawad Chaudhry term ‘insect’?

    Which PTI leader did Fawad Chaudhry term ‘insect’?

    Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry has often made headlines for his harsh remarks about his ex- party’s leadership. This time, he termed one PTI leaders an “insect.”

    “After we were forcefully removed from the PTI, a leadership vacuum was created within the party, so these insects, including Shoaib Shaheen, stepped forward. They do not belong to PTI at all,” said Chaudhry in Khabar Se Khabar on Monday.

    The former federal minister for Information and Broadcasting claimed that PTI’s current party leadership is insecure about his return to the party.

    However, program host Nadia Mirza contested Chaudhry’s insult “insects” by saying that the PTI’s current leadership indeed rescued the party when many leaders had abandoned it in the past.

    “How long did Shoaib Shaheen, Barrister Gohar Khan, and Salman Akram Raja remain imprisoned in jail? What are their sacrifices for PTI,” Chaudhry asked.

    Decrying the PTI leadership, he said that instead of initiating an agitation after the February 8 general election, party leaders confined themselves to their homes. “48 cases registered on me; how many cases have been filed against the PTI leadership,” he questioned. 

    Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s counsel Shoaib Shaheen had criticised Fawad Chaudhry on December 21 over his suggestion to operate Imran Khan’s  X (formerly Twitter) account from Pakistan.

    “Those who abandoned the party back then no longer have any affiliation with PTI,” Shaheen quoted Imran Khan as saying. The lawyer further stated that the party founder had directed others to distance themselves from Fawad Chaudhry.

    On December 21, following the directive of Imran Khan, party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan issued a formal statement distancing the party from the former federal minister.

    “A meeting took place at Adiala Jail, where PTI’s legal team met Imran Khan. During the meeting, Khan instructed the team to publicly disassociate from Fawad Chaudhry,” Gohar said in his statement.

    “Accordingly, following Khan Sahab’s instructions, the PTI completely disassociates itself from Fawad Chaudhry and clarifies that Fawad Chaudhry has no relation whatsoever with the PTI. Moreover, he is not authorised to represent the PTI on media, social media, and TV talk shows, or issue statements on behalf of the PTI, or present his personal opinions as the party’s stance.”

  • PTI-Government talks: A path to economic stability and business growth

    PTI-Government talks: A path to economic stability and business growth

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and the government have agreed to settle their rising tensions via negotiations instead of protests. This is great news for the economy, as the’ long marches’ cost the economy an estimated 190 billion rupees per day at the peak of political clashes.

    If negotiations prove to be successful, businesses will benefit enormously from the resulting stable political landscape. This is because businesses will not fear constant road closures and blockades which strangle supply chains across the country.

    This will be great news for businesses that rely heavily on the transportation of their goods from warehouses to in-store locations. This also includes businesses in the petroleum industry, as, during the height of the protests, motorways remained closed, leaving petroleum tankers stranded.

    The greatest gain will arguably be for investors – both local and foreign. The mere mention of the peace talks has resulted in KSE-100, which is the benchmark index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), to skyrocket by 4,200 points in intraday trading. This comes at a good time, as PSX recently recorded its largest fall in terms of points in the history of the exchange.

    If the negotiations bear fruit, foreign investment is expected to rise. This is because foreign investors are not particularly comfortable investing in a country plagued by political uncertainty and violence. The beneficiaries will be local businessmen again, as they will be able to utilise foreign investment to expand the scope of their operations and rely on their international backers to capture a higher market share.

    The greatest channel for business growth will most probably be the rise in domestic demand once political stability restores economic stability. Domestic demand will surge once citizens believe the economy is stable and that their livelihoods are not at stake.

    As it stands, experts are claiming that protests resulted in lots of damage to local businesses either due to vandalism or, more commonly, because of road closures. When consumers are uncertain about their employment outcomes in the future, they tend to save funds to smooth consumption patterns once they lose their source of income.

    Aside from domestic consumption rising due to certainty about employment, demand for local goods and services is also expected to increase due to lower interest rates. Interest rates were slashed last week and have settled at a two-year low of just 13 per cent, allowing consumers to purchase goods at a comparatively lower price tag as borrowing is cheaper now.

    Political and employment certainty, along with interest rate cuts, are expected to allow businesses to reap the benefits of higher sales volumes, which might translate into higher profit margins.

    Hospitality, tourism and travel companies will be the primary beneficiaries as they will not be forced to close down operations due to constant rallies and protests. This will be a welcome change for business owners in these sectors, as the protests have left many small companies teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.

  • Govt, PTI break ice as much-awaited negotiations begin

    Govt, PTI break ice as much-awaited negotiations begin

    Aimed at easing the ongoing political tensions, much-awaited talks between the government and opposition’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) began Monday, a government representative confirmed to The Current.

    According to the official, a high-level committee comprising senior members of the coalition government was formed by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, days after PTI founder Imran Khan also formed a committee reflecting the party’s realisation that its policy of confrontation could no longer be continued.

    The government committee included Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Rana Sanaullah, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Naveed Qamar, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Abdul Aleem Khan and Chaudhry Salik Hussain, reports said.

    While the PTI is yet to call off its currently postponed civil disobedience movement, government continues to say that any negotiations won’t bear fruit if they take place under pressure.

    The PTI’s committee for talks comprises Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, former NA speaker Asad Qaiser, PTI General Secretary Salman Akram Raja, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, Sunni Ittehad Council Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza, senior PTI leader Hamid Khan and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen Allama Raja Nasir Abbas. 

    PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, whose party has been agitating for several months now, called the committee’s formation a constructive step and said that meaningful dialogue based on positive intentions should be held.

    The meeting, presided over by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, PM’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, PPP leaders Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Naveed Qamar and MQM-P’s Farooq Sattar.

    PTI, on the other hand, was represented by former NA Speaker Asad Qaiser, Sunni Ittehad Council Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, in today’s session. 

    Omar Ayub, Salman Akram Raja and KP CM Ali Amin Khan Gandapur were among PTI leaders who couldn’t attend the meeting. 

    The gathering witnessed the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by prayers for the betterment of the country and the success of dialogue before officially commencing the negotiation process, reports said.

    Addressing the participants of the meeting, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq welcomed the Prime Minister’s initiative to resolve issues through dialogue. 

    He assured attendees that his office would always remain open to them and that the Speaker’s Secretariat would provide all necessary support in this regard.

    Emphasising that progress could only be achieved through negotiations, Sadiq urged the forum to move forward with an open heart to advance the dialogue process.

    “I will strive to remain impartial and provide the required support,” he stated, adding that the success of the talks ultimately depended on the committees representing both the government and the opposition.

    “We are working to ensure the success of these discussions and to bring political stability to the country,” Sadiq concluded.

    While details of the meeting have not yet been released, the second round of talks has been scheduled for the first week of January.

    Last week it was reported that significant progress had been made as the government, PTI and the establishment had 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, now showed willingness to negotiate with Khan, reports had 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 last Wednesday, 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.

    Similarly, reports said, the government and the establishment must recognise that the PTI remains a popular party, and it cannot be eliminated via continuous conflict.


     
    Both sides will have to compromise, reports had quoted a member of the government as saying. “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.”