“The government has not yet come to the table so how can I ask the PTI to withdraw its call for a countrywide shutdown?” the JI chief said, while addressing the media after a one-on-one meeting with PTI Chairman Imran Khan at his residence in Bani Gala.
On December 2, PTI vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi offered the government a chance to revive a stalled negotiation process by December 6, claiming his party would reconsider its plans to shut down Faisalabad on December 8. The offer came a day after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif tasked his key cabinet minister, Ishaq Dar, to reengage the PTI in dialogue.
Imran Khan’s party has threatened to paralyse Faisalabad on December 8, Karachi on December 12 and Lahore on December 15, followed by a nationwide shutdown on the 18th if an independent audit of the 2013 election is not ordered.
Hopeful that the current political impasse would be resolved through dialogue, Haq said, “I am hopeful and have never lost hope that both parties would resume talks and resolve issues as per the aspirations of the people instead of taking them onto the streets.”
Further, the JI chief advised the government to initiate and approach the PTI for resumption of talks as the responsibility lies on the government.
“The talks will be successful as both parties have the desire and willingness to resolve issues through dialogue,” he added.
He added that protesting is the democratic right of every party and the PTI was perhaps protesting in order to press the government to accept its demands though dialogue. “The government is also holding political rallies, which is something good as people get the chance to scrutinise and study their leaders.”
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Poll
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Appointment of CEC
Responding to a question, Haq said that they did not discuss the appointment of a new chief election commissioner (CEC) during their meeting.
“However, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar telephoned me and informed me about three names for the post,” he added.
Regarding reforms in the electoral system, Haq said, “We should adopt a proportional representation system in the country if we really want to keep the sanctity of the ballot intact.”
While explaining his argument, he said that political parties and their heads are always compelled to award party tickets to a select group of people and thus the system needs to be changed.
“I have discussed this proposal with Khursheed Shah as well,” he added.
COMMENTS (8)
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@Shuaib: mind your language sir........ Imran Khan is not a sold out like PMLn leaders, the decency of respecting a leader of millions of people lacks in many PMLn goons
As long as Imran Khan is in these 'talks' there will be no progress. If you do not want progress, there will be no progress.
WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?
Khan sahab dont back down from these PMLN Goons..we are ready to face them..enough is enough...
Ishaq Dar is the Finance Minister and should be busy doing other work. It is an absolute and utter disgrace that Ishaq Dar should waste even a minute on Imran Khan, while our nation is facing problems with tax collection, development, etc, etc. Why is he forcing Ishaq Dar to waste his precious time?
SHAME ON IMRAN KHAN!!
Haq said, “We should adopt a proportional representation system in the country if we really want to keep the sanctity of the ballot intact.”
A reasonable and fair demand. A good politician. I hope PTI and other democratic parties kan agree on this single agenda regarding electoral reforms.
Siraj ul Haq Sahib, real problem is the ego of Imran Khan. He is over confident. He is always busy in abusing and blaming others. If he does not stop blaming others, how can government do the dialogue.