PTI, PML-N lock horns in NA ahead of 3rd round of talks

Asif questions PTI's intent; opposition party blasts govt's failure to address critical issues

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ISLAMABAD:

Sparks flew in the National Assembly on Monday as the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) locked horns over pressing issues ahead of the third round of talks, scheduled for January 16.

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif questioned the sincerity of the former ruling party, casting doubt on the prospects of meaningful dialogue and the necessity of continuing dialogue.

The heated exchanges between the two sides began as Leader of the Opposition in NA Omar Ayub Khan raised concerns over the government's inaction on critical issues, including the alleged killing of 13 people by sniper fire on November 26 in Blue Area, Islamabad, for which no commission has so far been formed.

The opposition leader also alleged that May 9 detainees in military custody had been subjected to severe torture.

In a pointed remark, he asked whether ministers were drafting judgments in the £190 million corruption reference against PTI founder Imran Khan, his wife, and others, as they were commenting on the case despite the judgment being deferred for the third time. He wondered if the ministers had written the judgment.

Speaking on another matter, Ayub criticised the government's priorities, pointing out a case regarding Al-Qadir University had been filed. He said that Khan built universities and hospitals, arguing that investigations should focus on PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif's Avenfield apartments located in London.

In response, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif criticised the opposition for using the Question Hour in the assembly to deliver speeches instead of raising substantive queries. The defence minister questioned whether negotiations with the opposition were even possible given their behaviour, adding, "I am often accused of opposing negotiations, but how can talks take place under such conduct."

While questioning the sincerity of the opposition's intent to negotiate, the defence minister argued that their conduct made constructive dialogue difficult. Asif said that the government would not bow to pressure and called on the opposition to address their concerns through appropriate channels.

He further stated that if the Parliament is to function, it must operate according to established rules. Asif added that neither the government nor anyone else should succumb to blackmail from the opposition, saying "their [opposition's] intentions are not genuine."

He recalled that PTI was questioning the government's authority for talks until just a few days ago, chiding the opposition if it wanted to talk to the powerful stakeholder then it should go ahead.

During the session, members of the Sunni Ittehad Council, under whose banner PTI lawmakers are attending Parliament, staged continuous protests. They shouted slogans of "Ooooo, oooo," mimicking a phrase recently used by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a speech to describe certain protestors.

Meanwhile, PTI MNA Iqbal Afridi attempted to disrupt proceedings by pointing out a lack of quorum, but the required number of members was found present, allowing the session to continue. The session then continued as the government and the opposition continued trading barbs.

The slugfest in NA has come on the heels of government and opposition sides accusing each other of delaying talks.

In the first two meetings between the government and PTI, the government demanded that PTI submit its demands in writing before any progress could be made. While PTI verbally outlined its key demands— the release of party founder Imran Khan, detained workers and supporters, and the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 and November 26 incidents - the government remained unresponsive.

PTI, in turn, informed the government that finalizing its charter of demands was impossible without input from Imran Khan. The lack of a meeting between Khan and the PTI negotiation committee became a major sticking point, prolonging the stalemate. This impasse persisted for days until January 12, when the PTI committee was finally granted permission to meet the party chief at Adiala Jail.

Despite talks beginning on December 23 with the aim of resolving contentious issues, the negotiations have yet to progress beyond optics.

Meanwhile, NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq summoned the third meeting of the government and PTI negotiation committees on January 16 (Thursday). The NA Secretariat has issued a notification for the meeting of the negotiation committees where PTI is set to present its written charter of demands during the meeting.

According to a statement issued by the Speaker's Office, the meeting of the government and PTI negotiation committees will be held on Thursday at 11:30am in Parliament. Initially, the date of the negotiation committees' meeting was January 15 but later on changed to January 16 upon the members' requests.