Asif sees change in PTI's tone

As confusion abounds over the talks, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) behaviour following the formal indictment of ex-spymaster retired Lt Gen Faiz Hameed.

However, he said that while the tone may have softened, the party remains insincere in its approach to political dialogue.

"Without sincerity, any negotiation is doomed from the start," he said while speaking to the media in Sialkot, and urged PTI to put its house in order before seeking talks with the government.

"The concept of sincerity doesn't exist in his [Imran Khan's] chemistry … neither in politics nor in life."

The minister also rubbished claims that the government received any formal offer for negotiations. "There hasn't been any formal move from our government to initiate negotiations that requires us to respond," he claimed.

"They sit around the [NA] speaker's office, have tea and biscuits, and then leave. There's been no official outreach for unconditional talks. Negotiations cannot be held simply to fulfil wishes."

Scoffing at the former ruling party's mixed messaging on dialogue, Asif advised it to first reconcile its internal differences before seeking dialogue.

"Right now, they are fighting among themselves. Some say there are two conditions that need acceptance, others call for unconditional talks," he said in reference to PTI's clarification that while it was a no-strings-attached offer for talks, its demands remain intact.

The minister further said that some in the party were "busy playing the 'committee game", forming a seven-member committee after previously announcing a five-member one.

Taking a swipe at the party's lack of cohesion, he said, "First, they need to resolve their internal disputes and differences. Their followers say one thing, Bushra Bibi says another, and Imran's sisters have entirely different opinions".

Asif also mocked the party's leadership, saying that there was a cacophony of differing views and that "it's unclear who holds any authority". "If a unified voice emerges, then we'll consider responding."

In response to a question on the Supreme Court's ruling to conditionally allow military courts to pronounce reserved verdicts of 85 civilians who were still in custody for their alleged involvement in last year's May 9 riots, Asif said he was unaware of the details of the decision. "But there must be some legal or constitutional avenue left open," he added.