To talk or not to talk that's the question

Govt, PTI spar after agreeing to open formal communication

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ISLAMABAD:

The bigwigs of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and its archrival Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) sparred over the possibility of holding talks just a day after both sides decided to open a formal channel of communication to bring much-needed calm on the restive political front.

Amid denials of formal contact between the government and PTI, key political figures, ranging from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's political aide Rana Sanaullah to PML-N's Senate Parliamentary Leader Irfan Siddiqui, and from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to PTI's information secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram, shared varying views on the issue.

The information minister was quick to clarify that no formal talks started with PTI a day after NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and PTI leader Asad Qaiser cracked the door open for talks, PM's aide Sanaullah, while sharing his views in a talk show, linked dialogue with PTI withdrawing its call for civil disobedience. He added that talks can't be held under the current circumstances.

Sanaullah, while emphasising that the solution could only be found through direct dialogue at the negotiating table, recalled that PTI had earlier turned down the government's offer of talks by questioning its authority and legitimacy. He said the Imran Khan-led party much preferred talking to the establishment.

Seconding the government's spokesperson, Sanaullah also clarified that political engagement was not equal to holding formal talks, saying communication between political parties never stops. However, he was quick to point out that such exchanges could not be considered formal negotiations.

While speaking in the Senate, Senator Siddiqui also commented on the proposed talks by saying that PTI should first withdraw its call for civil disobedience if it was really interested in holding talks with the government. He also suggested PTI to shun its old tactics and restore trust for moving ahead.

As preconditions for holding talks between the ruling and major opposition party started to emerge, a meeting was also held between the K-P CM and former federal minister/senator, Mohammad Ali Durrani. Political reconciliation in the wake of November 26 clashes between PTI protestors and law enforcers in the capital's Blue Area came up for discussion.

In a statement, Durrani revealed that the discussion focused on the current political situation in the country, and both leaders exchanged views on how to advance the reconciliation process. The statement said they agreed on joint efforts to promote a political truce.

In addition, he added that K-P CM Gandapur also had a telephonic conversation with Jamaat-e-Islami's senior leader Liaqat Baloch and the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA)'s Safdar Abbasi. They also discussed the reconciliation process in the current political situation and agreed to expedite efforts to this end.

Throughout the day, the politics of talks dominated the political scene as members of the ruling and opposition parties buried their noses in different aspects of the proposed negotiations. They also recalled how past efforts failed to produce productive results.

Soon after the government spokesperson Ata Tarar said that no formal talks have started with PTI. The Imran Khan-led party's PTI's spokesperson, Sheikh Waqas Akram, also refuted the claims of a meeting between its negotiation committee and the government.

In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Waqas clarified that no member of the PTI negotiation committee had engaged with any government delegation or official on Thursday. "Many media outlets and social media influencers are spreading fake news. It is completely false and baseless. There has been no formal contact between the government and PTI's negotiation committee," he asserted.

Separately, PTI Senator Ali Zafar, PML-N's Senator Talal Chaudhry, and PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai also shared their views on the development. Senator Zafar stressed the importance of maintaining open channels for dialogue, saying if the government creates an atmosphere of trust, negotiations could move forward and the opposition would be ready to engage.

On the other hand, Senator Talal Chaudhry opposed negotiations with PTI and called the attempt a mere "drama". He also alleged the only reason PTI wanted to 'hold talks' was the former ruling party's attempt to hold talks with the government in an attempt to save former spymaster, Faiz Hameed, who has recently been indicted on "charges of engaging in political activities".

Meanwhile, PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai once again warned the government to take the necessary steps for dialogue, stressing if talks were not held, PTI would be ready to intensify its civil disobedience movement starting December 14.