The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf would return to negotiations, Pakistan Peoples Party leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said on Saturday as the talks between the government and jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s party reach a stalemate.

“You [PTI] will have to sit, change your attitude, and come to talks on principles,” he said while appearing on the Aaj News programme Rubaroo. PTI Senator Ali Zafar and PML-N lawmaker Afnanullah were also on the show.

“I guarantee that they will return to negotiations and matters will be resolved through talks. If they think that they can block roads then good luck to them.”

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.”

On January 30, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered an olive branch to the PTI despite the latter’s backing out of the talks with the government’s committee.

“It takes two to tango. 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 does not further face anarchy. The country cannot afford this,” he said while addressing the federal cabinet in Islamabad on Thursday.

When asked about the premier’s offer, the PTI senator said that the parliamentary committee would not have the power of a court to conduct an inquiry. He added that a judicial commission can summon people, review CCTV footage, and issue contempt notices. “A parliamentary committee is like eyewash. It does not make sense.”

To substantiate his claim, Zafar said that the Senate chairman’s production order for Ijaz Chaudhry has not been implemented yet.

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But PPP’s Kaira disagreed with Zafar, a parliamentary committee is empowered like any other committee, summon officials and if someone refuses to appear it can issue a warrant. In the past, he added that executive committees have also been formed.

When pressed, Zafar said that the premier’s offer was “too late” and not “appropriate.”

In response to the MQM-P’s concerns, Kaira described it as a “storm in a teacup” and matters would be resolved through talks.

He added that negotiations with the journalists would be held to review the amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act.