PTI founder says Achakzai will only engage political parties.
Rawalpindi(Mudassar Iqbal);Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has categorically stated that engaging in talks with the current government is futile, given its shaky ground. Khan’s remarks come amidst ongoing political uncertainty and tensions between his party and the ruling coalition.
Imran Khan Stands Firm on Army Talks Statement,
Imran Khan’s remarks came days after he expressed his willingness to hold negotiations with the military as he asked the latter to nominate a representative to hold a meeting. “We are ready to hold talks with the military. The army should nominate their representative for negotiations,” Khan had said.
Continuing on the prospects of negotiations, the former prime minister reiterated the party’s longtime demand for their allegedly stolen mandate to be returned.
The former prime minister, while informally speaking to journalists, said the talks would be held within the limits of constitution.
He said the stolen mandate of PTI should be returned. “Democracy all around the world operates on the basis of ethics,” Khan said, adding that parliament had never functioned through force.
“What negotiations should I have with the government which will end once the four constituencies are opened?” he said while responding to a question.
When asked about Mahmood Khan Achakzai’s statement that he could not hold talks with the army, the PTI founder said he had told him to engage in talks with political parties.
Earlier this week, Imran Khan said his party was ready for talks with army as they had never levelled allegations against the military but only criticised it.
Govt Makes Fresh Attempt to End Political Deadlock
Speaking to journalists in Adiala Jail, the former prime minister said the PTI had mandated Mahmood Khan Achakzai for talks with army but no one was nominated from the other side.
“We have complete trust on Achakzai,” he said.
Imran Khan said the first demand for negotiations was the return of the stolen mandate. The second demand is the release of arrested workers and quashing of cases. The third stage is saving the country, which is not possible without clean and transparent elections, he made it clear.
Responding to a question about Fazlur Rehman’s call for resigning from assemblies, he said: “He is talking about the third stage”.
He also threw his weight behind the ongoing sit-in by the Jamaat-e-Islami, saying he would direct party leaders to join the protest immediately.
The PTI founder also talked about the May 9 incidents, saying the CCTV footage could prove their innocence. “If anyone from PTI is involved in May 9, he or she should be brought to justice”.
“I never engaged in violence during my 28-year political struggle,” he said.
He accused the government of trying to wipe out the PTI by pitting it against army, adding that both parties [PML-N and PPP] were about to vanish
