Asif, Maryam slammed for obstructing talks

Asad Qaiser says govt backtracked on promise to arrange Imran, negotiation committee meeting

SWABI:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central leader and former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser on Thursday criticized Khawaja Asif and Maryam Nawaz for 'attempts' to obstruct the ongoing negotiation process between the government and PTI.

Asad Qaiser said the PTI remained committed to dialogue despite the November 26 incident in which, he said, peaceful party workers had been denied their right to protest and subjected to direct fire.

"We are negotiating for the sake of Pakistan's future even in the face of illegal government actions," he remarked.

The former Speaker condemned the trials of PTI workers in military courts, terming them unconstitutional.

"The government's misuse of military courts to try civilians will not intimidate us. We are standing firm," he added.

Qaiser accused the government of backtracking on its promise of facilitating a meeting between the PTI negotiation committee and Imran Khan during the talks.

"They are now resorting to excuses and delaying tactics," he said.

Highlighting the need for political and economic stability, the PTI leader reiterated his party's demands for a constitutionally governed country, a strong parliament, and an independent judiciary.

He said Imran Khan was emerging as a global leader and enduring hardships in jail for Pakistan's sake, adding that the entire nation was standing with him.

On Friday, PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai had stated that the third round of negotiations between the government and his party may be the last as the rulers' attitude was not serious. He added that the government appeared to be on the back foot.

He had further said that Imran Khan had already said that the government lacked authority and that it was good that the PTI had engaged in talks to expose the government.

He had also emphasised that the establishment should now realise that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) were a burden 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, asked where the amount had been spent and demanded accountability, saying that the public had not received any relief.

He also accused the government of being fearful of negotiations and questioned why Imran Khan's negotiation committee was not being allowed to meet him if the government truly had authority. Yousafzai also dismissed claims of development in Punjab, stating that distributing laptops could not win hearts.