PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said that he does not see “minus-one” or “plus-one” formulas – that has been haunting the country over the past many years – working in the January 2024 elections.

“Elections are meaningless without determining the future, all stakeholders should sit and decide, what to do next,” he said while addressing an event in Islamabad on Monday. “Make a truth commission to determine the veracity of the statement Nawaz Sharif made. It will clear up the situation.”

His comments came a day after interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar said that “fair” elections could be held without PTI Chairman Imran Khan and jailed leaders of his party.

Abbasi was of the view that such statements should be brought in front of the people and it was part of public debate. “Nawaz Sharif has given a date. He will definitely return to Pakistan.”

Earlier in the day, PML-N President Shehbaz barred all party leaders travelling abroad before former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s homecoming which is scheduled for October 21.

Elections in Pakistan are set to take place in the final week of January 2024, with the JUI-F demanding the polls overseer to not conduct them in the winter season.

Sources told Aaj News that Nawaz in a party huddle in London refused to budge on reviewing his narrative of accountability of the people who allegedly hatched “2017 conspiracy”—the time when he was ousted from the office of prime minister through a court decision.

No place for two narratives in party

In an interview with Aaj News on Monday, Abbasi highlighted that there was no place for two narratives in the party.

“There should be one narrative that how the problems of people should be resolved,” he said at Asma Shirazi show Faisla Aap Ka. “The same thing happened in 16 months what PTI chairman was doing it.”

When asked, Abbasi was oblivious to the party narrative. In reaction to reports of narrative pertaining to accountability, he asked that was the people expecting that and if was it the solution to problems.

But the former prime minister admitted the country’s system cannot run until such problems were solved. “Country’s matters should be run according to the Constitution,” he said and urged the politicians to take responsibility.

Abbasi stated that he was not part of any discussion where Nawaz’s narrative against the former army chief, ex-spymaster, and jurists was discussed.

Shehbaz was the party president and he could inform the party about it, Abbasi said, adding that the PML-N president would have to lead it.

When asked about the execution of a narrative related to ‘vote ko izzat do’, the PML-N replied that such a question would be asked by the people. “If it is your narrative then you are in government for 16 months. You spoke about a thing that happened five years ago so why you did not take action against it in 16 months.”

He lamented that the coalition government did not perform better in 16 months.

“Mian Sb will have to tell the people what is his vision that how he can resolve Pakistan’ issues. He will have to give an action plan and an agenda. This will have to be very specific because it is a long journey to improve the situation.”

Abbasi warned that the IMF programme would become strict with the passage of time as the oil prices were increasing in the international market.

The PML-N leader reiterated his call for to sitting together to resolve issues. “As soon as you try to resolve the matters, there will be solution to issues,” he said.