ISLAMABAD:
Behind the cold walls of Adiala Jail, former Prime Minister Imran Khan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had different views on the talks with the PML-N-led federal government. Khan expressed little hope of success, while Gandapur anticipated that the government would approach Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on Saturday.
PTI sources said on Thursday that the former prime minister ordered the KP chief minister to wait for a response from the government until Saturday, saying the party should continue with its plan to start a civil disobedience movement if no progress is made by then. .
Amid skepticism and hope, sources revealed that a meeting between Gandapur and Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi over the Kurram incident was expected soon, adding that political issues could also be discussed when the two met.
To a question, they cautiously said that the meeting could be convened on Friday (today). Ruling PML-N sources also said a meeting was scheduled for Friday but could be rescheduled for Saturday.
Talk of talks between the ruling PML-N and the opposition PTI began after Khan formed a committee to negotiate with the government. However, the opportunity soon became embroiled in a dispute when the leaders of both sides not only began to berate each other, but attached the talks to certain conditions.
The contrasting views of the former prime minister and the current prime minister emerged after Khan’s ultimatum to the government to meet his party’s two demands; the first was to order a judicial inquiry into the May 9 and November 26 incidents, and the second was to release party workers, including himself.
Otherwise, the founding president of the PTI ordered his party to go ahead with its call for civil disobedience through which the former ruling party would urge overseas Pakistanis to stop sending remittances home. He would also urge citizens to stop paying utility bills to put pressure on the government to give in to the PTI’s demands and start talks.
During the jailhouse discussion, sources privy to the development shared that Khan and Gandapur, along with other party leaders, deliberated on possible talks between PML-N and PTI as well as the developments that have taken place so far. In short, sources said Khan continued to express skepticism about the success of the talks, but Gandapur remained optimistic.
Later, they said, Khan told Gandapur and party leaders to see how the government reacts and tries to hold talks.
Despite skepticism, they said Khan categorically conveyed to party leaders that he was in favor of talks, but that to do so the government would have to “show political will.”
“Wait till Saturday, if the government tries to convince the PTI, then go ahead,” the PTI founder was quoted as saying by sources. “Otherwise, opt for the call for civil disobedience.”
He reiterated that the PTI would not enter into negotiations when the government was busy mocking the proposal and presenting it as the PTI “begging” for talks.
Since Khan constituted the committee, there have been several developments on the political board, including the meeting of PTI leaders Asad Qaiser and Salman Akram Raja with National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. It was reported that both sides decided it was time to join forces.
The PML-N and PTI had agreed to open a formal communication channel to replace confrontation with constructive dialogue, urging committees of both parties to sit down, resolve thorny issues in Parliament and bring much-needed political stability to the country. .
However, before the committees could meet behind closed doors to discuss the way forward, PTI leaders began to adjust their position to give the impression that they were not calling for talks.
On the other hand, PML-N leaders demanded that the PTI first withdraw its call for civil disobedience and obtain a full mandate from Khan beforehand to hold meaningful talks to avoid an inconclusive outcome like the last time.
However, on Wednesday, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq offered to mediate negotiations between the government and the opposition to address ongoing political tensions, saying his office and home were available to facilitate negotiations. discussions.
Political experts believe that it would be a win-win situation for the government if it successfully negotiates with the PTI as it will then be able to focus on real issues for the rest of its term.
