PML-N creating smokescreen over talks: PTI

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE:

The PTI leadership on Monday accused the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of creating a smokescreen about offering talks on elections in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, saying the government’s attitude was non-serious as no one from the PML-N or the ruling alliance approached their leaders nominated for holding talks.

PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi told The Express Tribune that Chairman Imran Khan had nominated him and PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry for holding talks with the government but no one from the PML-N approached him nor Fawad yet, following the Supreme Court’s proposal to the political parties to sit together and find a way out of the political impasse.

To the news that the PML-N leaders had approached PTI leader Asad Qaiser, the former foreign minister questioned what was the purpose of reaching out to someone who was not tasked with the responsibility of holding talks, saying PML-N leaders Saad Rafique and Ayaz Sadiq were former colleagues, they had their contact numbers and the correct thing to do was contacting the right persons.

At the outset, Qureshi said there was “zero progress” in connection with the government-PTI talks initiative and whatever was being presented as talks offered by the PML-N leadership was only a “smokescreen” as no serious efforts had so far been made by the government to advance negotiations that had not even started.

Qureshi said, “The PML-N leadership may have conducted an internal meeting and presented it as talks offered to the PTI. I have heard that the ruling alliance has called a meeting on April 26 where they are likely to take some decision regarding talks with the PTI.

“Until now, no one has approached me or Fawad Chaudhry Sahib. This shows how serious they are about talks.”

Qureshi’s statement is in line with the PTI chairman’s statement during Eidul Fitr holidays that no one from the ruling alliance had approached Qureshi for negotiations on general elections in Punjab and K-P provinces.

Several leaders of the ruling PML-N were approached for their comments but, as usual, they did not respond.

Before the Eid holidays, the PML-N leaders had contacted former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser but there was no progress at all after that phone call.

The information minister also did not share any details about talks with the PTI after saying that she would get back.

Meanwhile, as the ruling alliance failed to sit on the negotiation table with the opposition for holding elections of Punjab and K-P assemblies as proposed by the Supreme Court, the PTI chairman said that dialogue with the government was only possible if they dissolved assemblies in May and bring caretaker setups.

Addressing the party workers and supporters via video link from his Zaman Park residence during Eidul Fitr holidays, the former prime minister had said that “the caretaker governments in both the provinces have already completed their constitutional term and are illegal now,” adding that the apex court had given May 14 date for general elections in Punjab; however, the government was running away from elections by adopting delaying tactics.

Using a carrot and stick policy, the Supreme Court had recently asked all political parties to evolve a consensus on the date for holding simultaneous general elections of the national as well as four provincial assemblies expeditiously; otherwise, the court noted, its order regarding the Punjab Assembly elections on May 14 would come into force.

The political and legal impasse on elections had started soon after the PTI government was ousted through a vote of no confidence in April 2022 but it intensified after Imran Khan ordered to dissolve Punjab and K-P assemblies in an attempt to force elections on the federal government back in January. He, however, remained unsuccessful in achieving the objective as the ruling coalition at the Centre refused to cave in, vowing to complete the remaining constitutional period.

“The PTI will not allow them [ruling alliance] to break the Constitution by escaping the elections,” Imran vowed.

“The PTI and the people of Pakistan are standing with the Supreme Court for supremacy of the Constitution.”

The PML-N’s attempts to run away from elections, Imran pointed out, clearly indicated that the party was completely broken.

“They record audio and video clips to blackmail opponents and to put pressure on the judiciary. It is their history that initially they try to buy loyalties but when they fail, they go for blackmailing,” he said.

During his address to the party workers, the former premier also spoke about unprecedented high inflation, saying it had ruined the lives of common citizens.

“Whenever these imported rulers appear in public, they know how much the people of Pakistan hate them. They will also have to face a strong reaction from the public for their misadventures and flawed policies in the upcoming elections,” he maintained.

Imran reiterated that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had teamed up with the PDM parties. He claimed that whenever transparent investigations would be conducted in the prohibited funding and Toshakhana (gifts repository) cases, all of them would be caught.

The ruling alliance, he said, was proposing to hold elections in October but what was the guarantee that they won’t try to find another excuse to run away from elections.

Imran said neither the PTI nor the people of Pakistan would be fooled by them.

“We are standing with the Supreme Court for supremacy of the Constitution,” he added.

He underscored that the PML-N was continuously making attempts to pressure the apex court, adding that the Constitution was very clear that elections would be held within 90 days after dissolution of an assembly.

However, he alleged, a guarantee was given to Nawaz Sharif in London that the PTI would be crushed before elections in the country. “All sham cases against the PTI leaders and workers were part of this scheme,” he said, highlighting that during regime change, the court was opened at midnight but “we did not question the court verdict contrary to the present rulers”.

Imran accused Nawaz of looting billions of rupees from Pakistan and acquiring properties in England. He said the PTI was trying to adopt the constitutional way to bring change through ballot. Today, he said, the people of Pakistan were struggling for real freedom in the country. The PTI was standing on its ideology against corruption and supremacy of the rule of law in the country.

“How can I deviate from my party’s core principle of justice and supremacy of the law and give them an NRO. Everyone knows that how much they looted the country but still efforts are being made to impose them on Pakistan. Whenever the elections will be held, they will lose and flee the country,” he said.

He reiterated, “A small group is making schemes to eliminate me from the political scene. Earlier, they made an attempt on my life in Wazirabad and later at the Federal Judicial Complex. Come what may, I will fight against thieves till my last breath.”

The PTI chairman also tweeted: “It has been five days since our PTI Instagram head Attaur Rehman was abducted. We demand his immediate release and an end to abductions and torture of our social media activists. These young people have committed no crime and are being penalised simply for being part of the PTI's social media team.”