Rana Sanaullah declared on Tuesday that the Pakistani government will not accept any pressure from the new US administration of President-elect Donald Trump regarding the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan or negotiations with the opposition party.
Sanaullah’s comments came in response to a tweet by Richard Grenell, Trump’s nominee for envoy on special missions, who called for the release of the former prime minister, currently imprisoned in Adiala prison since August 2023.
Sanaullah emphasized that Pakistan would not work under any pressure from the United States, stating: “If any intervention is made, we would consider it as interference in our sovereignty.”
He clarified that the government’s decision not to start talks with the PTI was not influenced by Trump, stating that negotiations should be held bilaterally between the Treasury and the opposition.
He also acknowledged that Pakistan’s relations with the United States have seen ups and downs, but stressed that Islamabad will not accept anything that goes against its national interests.
Regarding the PTI’s calls for negotiations, he said the government would not create obstacles if the party sought “conclusive and time-bound” talks. However, he added that the government was in no rush to call meetings immediately.
The comments followed a statement by PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan, who urged the government to set a timetable to move forward in their negotiations, after meeting Imran Khan at Adiala Jail. Khan expressed satisfaction with the start of the dialogue process, but stressed the need for a clear timeline for discussions.
The development came after a meeting between the ruling coalition and PTI representatives, aimed at easing political tensions in the country. The next session of talks is scheduled for January 2, where the PTI team will present its demands to the government.
