PML-N's Javed Latif says 'negotiations not possible with terrorists'

PML-N leader says negotiations 'outside of Constitution' cannot be done at anyone's will

LAHORE:

Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz’s (PML-N) senior leader Javed Latif objected on Monday to the ongoing negotiations between the ruling coalition and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and said that talks were not possible with “terrorists” and "those who weaken institutions".

The remarks by the PML-N leader come as after months of political bickering the ruling coalition and PTI leaders sat across the table for talks last week that rekindled hopes for breaking the ongoing political and constitutional impasse in the country.

In the first formal interaction since the removal of former prime minister Imran Khan from power through a vote of no-confidence in April last year, leaders of the coalition parties and the PTI met at the Parliament House.

Both sides contemplated on developing a consensus on simultaneously holding general elections across the country.

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Talking to the media at PID Lahore office, the minister added that the government never ran away from elections even though our leadership was disqualified and kept out.

Latif furthered that it is better if the people sitting in the institutions confess their mistakes, adding that “negotiations outside of the Constitution cannot be done at anyone's will”.

The PML-N leader also said that the party will not accept elections without the participation of party supremo Nawaz Sharif in any way.

The federal minister said that today the situation has come to a point that now people sitting in the institutions will have to speak the complete truth.

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The efforts to find common ground between the ruling coalition and PTI through dialogue continue as not only the talks remain on track but the leaders of both sides refused to let their differences come in the way of forging a consensus on general elections.

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During the discussions, the PTI sought an early date for the dissolution of the National Assembly and the remaining two provincial assemblies -- Sindh and Balochistan -- so that elections could be called on a single day in July this year.

The government, however, said it should be allowed to complete its constitutional term, adding that the elections could be held in August or September.

It had sought time for seeking an opinion of the allied parties’ leadership by Tuesday.

However, on the other hand PTI chief Imran Khan has said that if the government dissolves the National Assembly by May 14 and goes towards elections, we are ready to accept the condition of holding simultaneous polls in the entire country,