Govt rules out negotiations or concessions on PTI's demands

In a recent statement, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, the parliamentary leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and chair of the Senate’s Foreign Affairs Committee, dismissed the demands put forward by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as “imaginary” and “unrealistic.”

Speaking to a private television channel on Tuesday, Siddiqui firmly stated that the government would not engage in negotiations on these demands, nor would any concessions be made to PTI in this regard.

Siddiqui labelled the PTI’s demands, including the repeal of the 26th Amendment and the release of all political prisoners, as non-starters.

"PTI has backed itself into a corner with its call for a protest on November 24," he remarked. "Now, they are scrambling for excuses to backtrack. Even their senior leaders are trying to avoid further embarrassment," he added.

Reflecting on PTI's political manoeuvrings, Siddiqui pointed out that during Imran Khan's tenure as prime minister, opposition members were imprisoned on baseless charges such as treason, ephedrine smuggling, heroin trafficking, and rent laws violations. "This was not the case under our leadership," he stressed.

When asked whether Nawaz Sharif wished to see Imran Khan in jail, Siddiqui denied any such personal vendetta. "Nawaz Sharif is not the kind of politician who seeks vengeance," he said, adding that Sharif had made it clear after returning from London that he wanted to move on from the past.

Siddiqui also reminded that Khan’s legal issues stemmed from "solid cases," citing examples such as the Toshakhana scandal and the controversial land deal linked to the Al-Qadir Trust. He further asked, “Was it Nawaz Sharif who ordered the attacks on 250 military installations?”

Turning to PTI's proposed protest, Siddiqui made it clear that the government would not entertain "illogical" demands. He asserted, "If there are reasonable demands, we are open to dialogue. But we cannot negotiate over vague requests like revoking amendments, returning mandates, dropping cases, or releasing all prisoners."

The senator also referred to statements made by former army chief General (retd) Bajwa, who had admitted to rigging the 2018 elections. "General Bajwa told Maulana Fazlur Rehman, ‘Yes, we made sure Imran Khan won, but we overdid it,’" Siddiqui revealed.

Concluding his remarks, Siddiqui warned PTI to reconsider its call for the November 24 protest. “If PTI withdraws the call, it will be for the best. Otherwise, the government will fulfill its constitutional duty to protect public life and property,” he stated.