PM forms committee to hold talks with PTI over long march

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed a federal-level committee on Saturday to hold talks with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in light of the party's ongoing Haqeeqi Azadi March.

Headed by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, the committee, comprising nine members, will focus on maintaining the law and order situation while also holding a political discourse regarding the PTI march.

As per the premier's directives, all talks regarding the long march are to be done through the committee.

Read ‘Imran called protesters to D-Chowk on May 25’

“Our doors are always open for negotiations. We are democratic people, ready to talk. However, we will not allow anyone to take the law into their hands,” said PM Shehbaz.

The committee includes PML-N leaders Ayaz Sadiq, Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Marriyun Aurangzeb, Pakistan Peoples Party leader Qamar Zaman Kaira, Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Awami National Party’s Mian Iftikhar and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl leader Maulana Asad Mehmood.

'No talks with PTI'

However, two senior ministers in the government, Khawaja Asif and Marriyum Aurangzeb denied the possibility of talks with the PTI.

Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said in a statement that there was “no room for negotiations with anarchists”, adding that PTI supremo Imran Khan wants “chaos, unrest and blood instead of transparent elections”.

The PML-N leader furthered that the former prime minister can “no longer hide his reality by taking to the streets as his face and lies have been exposed”.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif too turned down claims of talks with the PTI.

“Elections will be held at a constitutional time, God willing,” he stated. “Negotiations and consensus amongst political forces are part of democracy. However, there is no possibility of the kind of negotiations that the PTI is creating a ruckus about,” he stated.

“Let Imran Khan fulfil all of his desires. Right now, the Indian media is giving him full attention and air time… enjoy that,” he concluded.

'Govt not serious about negotiations'

However, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said the government was not serious about negotiations. He claimed that the Imran Khan-led march was still facing government-imposed restrictions.

“On the one hand, PTI workers are being arrested and the Haqeeqi Azadi March’s coverage is being restricted and, on the other hand, there is news of the formation of a frivolous committee,” he said.

“These are tricks to only engage the Azadi March, and they won’t work,” Fawad added, demanding a date for the general election.

PTI kicks-off march

The PTI's long march had set off from Lahore's Liberty Chowk a day earlier. Addressing party supporters on arrival, the PTI chairman said that the only objective and demand of the long march was free and fair elections in the country, which would guarantee true independence in Pakistan.

Read more PTI’s long march puts MBS visit in doubt

“The time has come for us to start the journey of real freedom of this country,” Imran said, stressing that he was embarking upon the most important journey of his political career spanning over 26 years.

“My march is not for politics, not for elections or personal interests, but only for the purpose that the nation should be truly free, the former prime minister said from atop his container.

“Our decisions should not be taken in Washington or in Britain, rather Pakistan’s decisions must be taken in Pakistan and for the [benefit of the] people of Pakistan,” he said.