‘Takes two to tango’: PM Shehbaz makes overtures to PTI
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has offered an olive branch to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf despite the latter’s backing out of the talks with the government’s committee.
“It takes two to tango,” he said while addressing the federal cabinet in Islamabad on Thursday.
“I am ready with a clear heart and positive intention that this dialogue should proceed and parleys continue so that the country moves forward and not further face anarchy. The country cannot afford this.”
The fourth round of negotiations between the government and the PTI concluded on Tuesday after jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s party members did not show up for the meeting.
Last month, the PTI committee refused to attend the meeting scheduled for January 28 because of the government’s failure to meet its demands.
Khan’s party leaders sought the formation of a judicial commission over the May 9 and November 26 events and the release of “political prisoners”. The PTI believes that the PML-N’s apparent failure proved that it was “powerless” to fulfil demands.
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, who presided over the talks, expressed hope that talks would continue. “When talks are held, conditions are not made and sit to decide whether it was decided or not.”
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While talking about the talks, PM Shehbaz said that he “genuinely” accepted the PTI offer for talks and offered a committee with the assistance of the NA speaker.
“Our members told them that we are also ready to give it to you our response in writing. You must come, sit and we will officially talk to you,” he said and added that the House Committee formed by former prime minister Imran Khan on concerns related 2018 elections did not meet often.
“I think they should introspect that in 2018 it was a House Committee. We accepted the offer and a only a single meeting was held,” he said and added that both sides should sit and also review the concerns related to 2014 sit-in and 2018 elections.
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