Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry on Saturday maintained that only PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif holds the key to easing the prevailing political tensions in the country.
Speaking to the media after a court appearance, the former minister said that the path to reconciliation could be paved only if the reins of PML-N leadership returned to Nawaz.
“The PML-N’s true politics lies with Nawaz Sharif. [Prime Minister] Shehbaz Sharif has nothing.”
Fawad described PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah’s suggestion to initiate a dialogue with the PTI as a step in the right direction.
However, he continued that one day the PTI was subjected to more restrictions and on the other, the former interior minister spoke about holding talks with the party. “I think that the ruling parties should clarify what they want,” Fawad said.
“They should clarify if they wanted to impose more restrictions on the PTI or engage in a process of dialogue with the party. The PTI will respond accordingly.”
Fawad stressed the importance of creating an environment of trust for the process of dialogue to kick off.
He pointed out that PTI senator Ejaz Chaudhary was languishing in jail for a year and his production order was not being issued.
“I am pointing out small matters that can help in building an atmosphere of trust.”
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He noted that the government could provide immediate relief to incarcerated PTI leaders including Omar Cheema, Mehmoodur Rasheed, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Aliya Hamza, and Sanam Javed.
Fawad claimed that PTI founding chairman Imran Khan would not strike any deal for his release from jail.
He added that only the people could compel the government to set him free.
“The government should take some steps to restore the atmosphere of trust.”
The former federal minister maintained that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had noted in it’s report that there was political instability in Pakistan.
“It’s the government’s responsibility to create an environment where things can move forward.”
Describing the PTI as a major party, he conceded that it was “too loud”.
Fawad said it was necessary to stand by the PTI founding chairman as if lost the battle, it would mean a defeat for the nation.
Earlier, the former minister denied his involvement in two cases related to last year’s May 9 violence.
He was produced before a district court in Lahore.
Read: Fawad may rejoin PTI
He was interrogated by police in a case linked to the attack on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s residence in Lahore.
Fawad also submitted his statement in the case pertaining to the attack on the PML-N secretariat also in the same city.
The former minister told the interrogators that he was neither directly linked to the attack on the premier’s residence in Lahore, nor had he incited anyone to carry it out.
He also denied the accusation that he was involved in the attack on the PML-N secretariat. The police told the court that they had rounded up 49 people in both cases.
They added that Fawad was interrogated based on the statements and evidence provided by the arrested people.
The police have declared Fawad’s initial response to the queries as unsatisfactory.
They continued that they informed the former federal minister that more detailed answers were required.
The police officials said Fawad would be summoned in connection with other cases as well.
The law enforcement agencies arrested the PTI founding chairman for the first time on May 9 last year from the premises of the Islamabad High Court in connection with a corruption case, triggering violent riots in many parts of the country.
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