Third round of PTI-govt talks 'could be last'

Yousafzai bemoans PML-N's nonserious attitude

PESHAWAR:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Shaukat Yousafzai has stated that the third round of negotiations between the government and his party might be the last, as the rulers' attitude is not serious. He added that the government appeared to be on the back foot.

He added that Imran Khan had already said that the government lacks authority, but it was good that PTI engaged in talks to expose the government.

He emphasised that the establishment should now realise that the PML-N and PPP are burdens on the country. "They talk about Pakistan's progress, but where is the money?" he questioned. Yousafzai argued that without law and order, the rule of law, and political stability, no one would invest in Pakistan.

He criticised the government for taking loans amounting to Rs27 trillion in two years, asking where this amount was spent and demanding accountability, as the public has not received any relief.

He accused the government of being fearful of negotiations, questioning why Imran Khan's negotiation committee is not being allowed to meet if the government truly has authority. Yousafzai dismissed claims of development in Punjab, stating that distributing laptops cannot win hearts. He remarked that many youth accepted laptops from Maryam Nawaz but replaced her picture with Imran Khan's on them.

Expressing disappointment over the media spat between Afzal Marwat and Salman Akram Raja, he urged senior leadership to ensure discipline within the party.

It seems that the provincial and central leadership of the party seem to be on the same page when it comes to talks with the government.

On Thursday, PTI's central leadership questioned the dialogue process with the PML-N-led government after the ruling coalition failed to arrange a meeting between incarcerated PTI founding chairman Imran Khan and the party's negotiation committee. The meeting could not be held despite earlier promises that it would go ahead.

Speaking about the delayed meeting with the former premier Imran Khan in Adiala jail before the next round of talks, the PTI leadership said doubts now loom large over whether the other side is in a position to deliver.

Despite the government side's inability to provide its negotiation committee with access to the party supremo in Adiala jail, the PTI leadership has categorically stated that it is not backing out of the dialogue process.

At the same time, it is waiting for the government's next 'excuse'.