Information Minister Pervez Rashid said on Sunday that there was need for the government to enter into talks with the PTI as it had already written to the Supreme Court regarding the formation of a judicial commission to probe allegations of rigging during last year's polls, as demanded by the PTI.
“The government already wrote a letter to the Supreme Court on August 13, asking it to form a judicial commission to probe PTI’s allegation of rigging in the elections. Now, on what issue should the government hold talks with the PTI?” Rashid said, while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.
He further added that if the PTI chief is serious about the formation of the commission and entering talks, he should first cancel his plans to bring the country to standstill and announce an end to his sit-in Islamabad.
The minister said that it was PTI chief who had called off talks last time as he called back his negotiation team while the government’s committee, led by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, led team was sitting at the negotiation table. He urged the PTI chief to first show tolerance and then demand talks.
Referring to Imran's press conference earlier in the day, Rashid said there was no need of holding negotiations as Imran had already announced he would not accept the commission’s verdict if it goes against his will.
Condemning Imran's statement where in he had allegedly claimed that had he been in power, he would not had allow the army to start an operation in North Warizistan, Rashid said the PTI chief's aim is to attack on Parliament, the army and the economy.
The information minister also poked fun at Imran, saying he suffered from "memory loss" due to a head injury he received during his election campaign last year.
Regarding the PTI’s plan to 'shutdown' Faisalabad on December 8, Rashid said Imran’s attempt to lock down Faisalabad will fail just like all his earlier plans.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who returned from United Kingdom, on Saturday held talks with Dar and other senior leaders of the party.
The premier was suggested that negotiations with the PTI should only be resumed after consulting parliamentary leaders of various political parties in Parliament.
Nawaz will hold consultative meetings with political leaders on Monday to devise a strategy regarding PTI’s ongoing protest.
COMMENTS (9)
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If PTI stops their protest, they will be like a lion without teeth... no matter how much they roar after that, without their bite, the hyenas won't listen! Govt. simply trying to put the ball in PTI'S court and shirk their own responsibility. Don't think PTI should call it off, otherwise the PML-N walay will just start stalling any negotiation, electoral investigation or reform!
Calling all neurosurgeons , all neurosurgeons. Please cure Imran Niazi - he is suffering from dimensia and other disorders . He can't even recognize his own daughter.
Fair enough. If IK is saying he will only accept a judicial commission that consists of people of his choice and only if they decide in favour of PTI then its a pointless exercise. PML N should start dharnas in KPK against non-performance of PTI.
i feel for Nawaz shareef..seriously after all his hard work,it appears as if this time his team is sinking his ship..
Pakistan needs to have the same strategy as the Chibese: no negotiations with terrorists .
Excellent ! The day we stop being blackmailed by serial blackmailers and terrorists Pakistan will truly succeed .
Say no to miscreants and prosecute them.
The ministry of Information- Pakistan, should be called ministry of PTI
Both PTI and PMLN are ought to destroy Pakistan. Their actions are nothing short of sedition. On one hand, both are the most vocal supporters of TTP and the banned outfits. On the other hand, both are destroying the state institutions. Whoever wins, Pakistanis will lose.
And before the talks start,Imran Khan should give it in writting(on stamp paper) that his team is completely empowered and he won't back down and take any U turns.