PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan has rejected the government’s offer for talks and wondered about the way Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik made the offer.

“The PML-N should introspect its own conduct and behaviour,” he said in a post on the X platform.

“On one hand, our workers and leaders are being picked up and on the other hand, negotiations are being offered.”

Gohar stated that the offer for talks would be taken seriously only when the government’s attitude and approach are corrected. He emphasized that the PML-N needs to review its style and conduct.

Earlier in the day, Federal Minister for Petroleum Musadik Malik invited the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to talks to sort out the issues as Imran Khan’s party prepares for anti-government protests.

“We are saying, let’s sit down, talk, and discuss. Don’t complicate things. We were asking for talks before, and we are asking for it today as well,” he said at a press conference in Islamabad on Saturday.

Malik went on to reiterate the government’s offer, however, he also mentioned that the PTI was stuck to its position to hold a sit-in.

This offer for dialogue comes amidst the ongoing political tensions in the country. The PTI has been staging protests and demanding early elections, while the government has resisted these calls. On Friday, the PTI called off its protests planned for Friday.

“We approached the deputy commissioner of Islamabad on July 23 regarding our protest in Islamabad, but there was no decision taken. On July 24, we appealed to the [Islamabad] high court following which the honourable judge suggested [the local administration] allow our protest on Monday,” PTI Islamabad President Amir Masood Mughal said.

The PTI had sought permission for its protest from the Islamabad High Court, which urged the capital administration to allow it on July 29.

The petroleum minister added that the prime minister has three main goals – to eliminate poverty in this country, to immediately end inflation, and to provide employment.

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“The government is striving to provide relief to the public and creating employment is the top priority. Ending inflation will reduce the burden on the people, and the public knows who has done what,” Malik said.

He slammed former prime minister Khan for his anti-army statements and started the cipher controversy. Malik was of the view that the opposition was protesting despite the government’s “progress” in bringing the inflation rate down.

The petroleum minister spoke about the government’s stance on tackling terrorism. “We talk about eliminating terrorism, they [PTI] say they won’t allow operations. Will you allow terrorism and extortion to happen?”