Islamabad: Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has stated that the government cannot begin negotiations with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party until it receives a clear message directly from the party’s founder, Imran Khan.
In a recent statement, Asif emphasized that PTI’s leadership follows the guidance of its founder, Imran Khan, and that the negotiations will only be possible once Khan provides a clear directive. “PTI speaks with one voice, that voice being the founder of PTI, and until we receive a clear message from him, talks cannot commence,” Asif remarked.
Commenting on the opposition’s call for a civil disobedience movement, Asif dismissed the idea, likening it to a “non-starter.” He also made a pointed remark about the PTI leadership, referring to the party’s founder as a “military product” akin to processed foods, suggesting that some political figures often forget their origins.
Asif further addressed Pakistan’s relationship with the United States, stating that while Pakistan shares a deep relationship with the U.S., the country must prioritize its own interests. He acknowledged the occasional fluctuations in U.S.-Pakistan relations but asserted that Pakistan is best placed to understand its own needs. “There is no doubt that we have a deep relationship with the U.S., but we must protect our own interests. We understand what is best for our country, not the U.S. or any other nation,” he said.
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On the issue of Afghanistan, Asif expressed that Pakistan’s relationship with the current Afghan leadership dates back to the 1970s. However, he emphasized that Pakistan’s primary concern remains ensuring that Afghan soil is not used by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). “We have raised this issue repeatedly with the Afghan government. We are working with countries that have strong ties with both Pakistan and Afghanistan to help normalize relations,” Asif said. He expressed optimism, stating that he believed tensions would ease and things would soon begin to normalize between the two nations.
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