No formal negotiations between PTI and govt: Tarar

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Federal Minister for Information, Ata Tarar, has firmly rejected recent reports claiming that the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have entered into negotiations.

Speaking in an interview on a private television channel, Tarar clarified that there have been no formal talks between the government and PTI.

"There have been no meetings or discussions between the Prime Minister and PTI leader Asad Qaiser," Tarar stated, adding that such claims were baseless.

He explained that the meeting between PTI leaders and Speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq, which was misreported as part of political negotiations, was simply a condolence visit following the passing of the Speaker's sister.

Tarar further emphasised that PTI must first clarify its position on the events of 9 May and 26 November, which have caused significant political and social unrest.

"Before any talks can happen, PTI needs to explain who was behind these incidents," he said.

The minister also raised concerns about PTI’s trustworthiness, citing the party’s history of backing out of commitments, including during the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

Earlier, media outlets had reported that political tensions between the government and PTI were easing, with speculation that a meeting had taken place at Ayaz Sadiq’s residence involving key government figures and PTI leaders.

However, Tarar quickly dismissed these reports, calling them misleading and stressing that no formal negotiations were underway.

Tarar’s statements come amid a period of heightened political division in Pakistan, where talks between various political factions have been a topic of intense speculation.

However, the minister made it clear that any future dialogue with PTI would require the party to address its role in the political crisis.

Following simmering tensions between the two sides, particularly after the November 26 clash, the stalemate was broken when PTI leader Asad Qaiser and Salman Akram Raja met National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq at Parliament to offer condolences for his sister's death.

During the meeting on Wednesday, both the incumbent and former NA speakers agreed that it was time to put their heads together. They proposed forming committees to sit down and hash out the thorny issues in the parliament that have repeatedly put a wedge between the two parties.

They agreed that parliament should be the forum to discuss the outstanding issues.

Officials familiar with the development revealed that the NA speaker while assuring his efforts to engage the government, said that PTI leadership should meet the party's incarcerated founding chairman, Imran Khan, and secure a full mandate for talks to ensure meaningful results.

The development marks a fresh chapter in the often turbulent relationship between the PML-N-led ruling coalition and the PTI, with relations long described as at loggerheads.

Although the meeting was not planned, it did provide both sides the opportunity to clear the air.

"It wasn't a planned meeting but the ongoing political situation and importance of holding talks between the two sides was discussed in it," Qaiser shared with The Express Tribune, adding that the PTI shared its concerns and objectives for the talks, while the speaker assured his role in fostering a productive dialogue.

Qaiser said that the NA speaker suggested that "PTI leadership should meet Imran Khan and discuss things in detail before holding talks, adding that he reiterated that the negotiating committee should have a full mandate so that meaningful talks could be held.