Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Umar Ayub has accused the government of not being serious about negotiations, claiming that the authorities blocked the negotiation team from meeting former Prime Minister Imran Khan at Adiala Jail.
Speaking to the media after appearing in an Islamabad district session court, Ayub expressed frustration over the lack of access to Khan, stating that the government’s actions show no real intent to engage in meaningful dialogue.
Ayub pointed out that although Imran Khan had formed a negotiation team to initiate talks, the government had not allowed them to meet him in jail, thus rendering the efforts futile.
"No one should claim that talks weren't attempted," said Ayub, suggesting that the government's refusal to facilitate access to Khan undermined any potential for dialogue. He further emphasised that this was a deliberate move by the government to prevent progress in negotiations.
The comments came after Ayub appeared in court for hearings in five separate cases against him, including charges of interference in government duties, threats, and violations of Section 144. The court granted him interim bail in a case filed at the Secretariat Police Station, while other cases were deferred pending police records.
Ayub was accompanied by his legal team, including renowned lawyers Babar Awan and Amina Ali. Despite the legal matters at hand, his remarks on the political situation dominated the media interactions, as he continued to push for a clear path to negotiations with the government.
Rana Sanaullah hints at progress in talks with PTI
Meanwhile, prime minister’s aide on political affairs Rana Sanaullah hinted at potential progress in negotiations with the opposition party.
During an interview on a local news channel on Friday, Sanaullah indicated that talks between the government and PTI could make headway in the next couple of days, following efforts by the National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq to facilitate dialogue.
Imran Khan, in a post on X, had set a deadline of December 22 for the government to meet his key demands, which include the release of under-trial political prisoners and a judicial investigation into the May 9 incidents and the November 26 crackdown on PTI protesters.
He warned that if these demands were not addressed by Sunday, PTI would initiate the first phase of its civil disobedience movement, starting with a "boycott of remittances."
Sanaullah's remarks came amidst an ongoing debate over the potential for talks between the government and PTI, which has dominated political discussions since Imran Khan formed a negotiation committee.
While reports surfaced earlier this week about an agreement to use the parliamentary forum for dialogue, PTI's Asad Qaiser denied any formal negotiations had taken place during his meeting with the NA speaker, which he clarified was for condolences, not talks.
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