There has been no phone call from the United States regarding Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Saturday.

“We will ask the PTI to clarify its negotiation preferences and request that the party refrain from holding a rally on February 8,” he told reporters in Lahore.

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.”

The PTI had set similar dates for events in the past, Naqvi said and added that the information circulating on social media was often inaccurate. He expressed his pleasure “whenever a Pakistani travels abroad through legitimate means.”

The interior minister emphasised that Pakistan maintained a “positive relationship” with the US government, stating, “You will soon see the results of this.” He mentioned that several meetings had taken place with US Congress members.

Also, read this

‘Takes two to tango’: PM Shehbaz makes overtures to PTI

PM Shehbaz’s aide says Pakistan crisis can end if Nawaz, Khan, Zardari, sit together

PML-N doesn’t have mandate to make unilateral decisions: Bilawal

Naqvi also announced plans to establish passport counters in collaboration with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to alleviate long waiting lines for passport processing. He revealed that counters were being set up in 14 cities.

He reassured citizens that they would no longer have to wait in long lines for passports, as the formation of a passport authority would help resolve various issues. “Some changes are already becoming visible,” he added.

Furthermore, Naqvi added that “substantial reforms” within the Federal Investigation Agency would be evident in the near future, highlighting a growing demand for passports in the country. “We are creating exemplary NADRA centres for the public,” he said.