In a notable move on Tuesday, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah extended an invitation to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to engage in official political discussions with the government.

“Now, if [PTI leader] Sher Afzal Marwat is claiming we didn’t have any conversations, then maybe conversation didn’t happen from that side either,” he said while addressing the National Assembly session.

“But this is a reality that in this parliamentary democratic system; until the opposition leader and leader of the house don’t sit and have dialogue, this system cannot work,” he said, stressing that “both wheels need to turn for the car to move forward”.

This invitation comes in the wake of a committee formed by the PTI aimed at addressing ongoing political challenges.

Since the incarceration of PTI founder Imran Khan last year on multiple charges, relations between his party and the government, as well as with the military establishment, have deteriorated significantly. Over the past year, the PTI has organised numerous protests, many of which escalated into violence due to state crackdowns.

On November 24, Khan issued a “final call” for national protests, demanding the restoration of PTI’s electoral rights, the release of detained party members, and the repeal of the controversial 26th Constitutional Amendment, which he argues has bolstered a “dictatorial regime.”

The protests once again turned violent, with clashes erupting between PTI supporters and security forces, leading to the rapid evacuation of the party’s leadership from the Red Zone on November 27. The unrest resulted in the deaths of at least six individuals, including a police officer and three Rangers. In the aftermath, Imran Khan established a five-member committee tasked with negotiating with all relevant parties.

“If there is no dialogue between political parties and forces, the matter will not move forward,” he said.

“I request Marwat sahib that if you have made this committee for conversation with us — which you have not said a word about till this day —then officially come and say you have formed this committee for dialogue with the government or PML-N or allied parties,” Sanaullah added.

The premier’s adviser noted that the statement put forward by Marwat indicated that a committee has been formed for talks, and whoever wants to hold conversations can proceed to do it.

He emphasised that the office of the House’s speaker was a “neutral venue” and “it is as much ours as it is yours, and current speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has always maintained his neutrality.”

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The PML-N lawmaker urged the PTI to send at least an “official serious message” to the government about the committee.

“Don’t be constrained to TV talk shows and press releases, go and tell them there is this committee and we are serious and want political dialogue,” Sanaullah said.

In reaction to the PML-N leader’s comments, PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan took to the floor of the House and appreciated Sanaullah for acknowledging the loss of lives that occurred on November 24 on both sides.

“We have only one demand — we only want justice for the blood spilt at D-chowk,” he said. According to PTI, 12 of its supporters were killed during Islamabad march.