LAHORE:
The PTI should not have high hopes in negotiations with the government, warned former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf. However, he described the beginning of the dialogue as a positive omen.
Regarding his PPP negotiations with the PML-N to secure space in Punjab, he stated that the rulers had agreed to include the PPP in the development committees and in the authorities of the divisions where they were the majority.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Ashraf said the PML-N had, in principle, accepted the PPP’s demand to include them in development committees, boards and authorities in divisions where they had a majority.
He clarified that the PPP decided to support the PML-N in forming the government to save the country. “These negotiations between us are not a question of success or failure.”
He said the PPP would continue to support the government without imposing any conditions to ensure the continuation of the system, adding that his party had opposed taxing farmers because it thought it would be detrimental to the agricultural sector.
Meanwhile, party leaders have claimed that the Center government appeared to have little or no control over Punjab, which is ruled by Maryam Nawaz.
They claim that it was the CM who was giving short shrift to their concerns.
Regarding the negotiations with the PTI, he said that the former ruling party has accepted the reality of dialogue and negotiations with political parties.
He said it is a fact that both sides in the negotiations should sit with an open mind, but in this case, PTI should not have high hopes in the process.
Without mentioning Imran Khan, he said cases against PTI leaders cannot be expunged by an executive order. “They will have to fight their cases in court,” he said.
He said the PML-N had asked the PTI to submit its demand in writing but they had not filed any demand so far.
