Expect little from talks, Ashraf warns PTI

Says PML-N has agreed to include PPP in committees

LAHORE:

PTI should not hold high hopes from the negotiations with the government, former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has warned. However, he termed the initiation of dialogue a positive omen.

On his PPP negotiations with the PML-N to secure space in Punjab, he claimed that the rulers had agreed to include the PPP in development committees and authorities in the divisions where they were in a majority.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Ashraf said the PML-N had, in principle, agreed to the PPP demand of including them in development committees, boards, and authorities in divisions where they had a majority.

He clarified that the PPP had decided to support the PML-N in the formation of a government for the sake of saving the country. "These negotiations between us are not a matter of make or break."

He said the PPP would continue supporting the government without placing any conditions to ensure the continuation of the system, adding that his party had objected to taxing farmers as it thought that would be detrimental to the agriculture sector.

Party leaders, meanwhile, have claimed the government at the Centre seemed to have little to no control over Punjab, which is being ruled by Maryam Nawaz.

They claim that it was the CM who was paying little importance to their concerns.

Regarding negotiations with the PTI, he said that the former ruling party had come to terms with the reality of a dialogue and negotiations with political parties.

He said that it was a fact that both sides in the negotiations should sit with an open mind, but in this instance, PTI should not hold high hopes from the process.

Without mentioning Imran Khan, he said cases against PTI leaders could not be wiped away via an executive order. "They will have to fight their cases out in court", he said.

He said the PML-N had asked the PTI to bring forth their demand in writing but that, as of now, they had brought forward no demand.