Rana Sanaullah denies backdoor talks between PTI, establishment

Prime Minister's aide on Political and Public Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, has dismissed speculation regarding "ongoing backdoor talks" involving Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the establishment. He affirmed that no dialogue would take place with the former ruling party through unofficial channels.

Earlier in the day, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan maintained that PTI was not engaged in dialogue with any other entities. Speaking to a local TV news channel on Tuesday, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader criticised PTI for skipping the fourth round of formal talks.

"Political issues can only be resolved through the official dialogue table, which they [PTI] abandoned today," Sanaullah stated.

PTI boycotted the fourth session scheduled for Tuesday, citing the government's failure to establish judicial commissions to investigate the May 9, 2023, riots and the November 26, 2024, Islamabad protest crackdown.

The PML-N leader criticised PTI’s political approach over the past decade, accusing the party of damaging the country's political landscape. He further stated that PTI missed the chance to receive the government's response by skipping the negotiations.

Referring to PTI's demands for a judicial commission, he remarked, "No judge would want to join such a commission given the current circumstances."

Responding to PTI’s warnings of street protests, Sanaullah stressed that any demonstrations would be met with legal action. "In a democratic system, issues are resolved at the negotiating table, not on the streets," he said.