'PTI's flip-flopping risks sinking talks'

PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui says moving the goalposts could undermine talks

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LAHORE:

With PTI's fresh demands injecting uncertainty into an already complicated negotiating process, PML-N leaders have warned the party against shifting the goalposts, cautioning that such tactics could throw a wrench into the talks aimed at easing political tensions.

After apparently playing it cool for a while, government members on Sunday appeared to be toughening their stance on PTI supremo Imran Khan's release, reminding that his fate was to be adjudicated by courts, and not by the ongoing talks.

PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui slammed PTI's shifting stance mid-negotiations, particularly its calls for Imran Khan's release via executive order and including "real decision-makers" in the discussions.

He cautioned that the changes in demands could throw a spanner in the works of the ongoing negotiations aimed at easing political tensions in the country.

A day earlier, PTI negotiation committee member Asad Qaiser disclosed that the party had urged the government to involve "the stakeholder" in the dialogue process, adding that "it is yet to be seen what those with real decision-making powers are thinking".

Reacting to the statement, Senator Irfan Siddiqui pointed out that PTI had not raised this demand in the first two rounds of talks. "The dialogue process won't move forward positively if PTI keeps changing its stance," he warned.

He said the government was engaging in the talks openly and urged PTI to refrain from making contradictory remarks.

The senator further stressed that the dialogue was separate from legal proceedings and should not be influenced by court decisions.

Meanwhile, speaking to a private TV channel, Qaiser said that PTI's demands were clear and described submitting them in writing as "just a formality".

He noted that the upcoming third round of talks, expected this week, would bring clarity.

The PTI leader underscored the importance of prioritising the national interest during the negotiations and urged sincerity while avoiding hasty decisions. "[We] are giving time to the government's team to consult with all the stakeholders," he said.

Qaiser further urged the treasury team to ensure the involvement of all stakeholders to remove any ambiguity in the final decision and recommended the inclusion of PTI's leadership, beyond the party founder, in the discussions.

Speaking to a private news channel, Qaiser reiterated that PTI had no intention of derailing the negotiation process, saying that the party's objective was to contribute to positive outcomes.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said that PML-N as a political party was always committed to holding dialogue for the resolution of the issues.

Talking on a private news channel, he said, "PML-N has consistently encouraged negotiations to strengthen democracy in the country".

"We have made numerous past efforts to promote democratic supremacy," he added.

The minister also addressed the ongoing talks between the government and the PTI, saying the negotiations have so far been limited to discussions without any concrete outcomes.

"PTI has been given a week, and we are hopeful for positive developments in the negotiations."