The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf only wanted to have talks with the army chief and the spymaster, party leader Shehryar Afridi said as he rebuffed the incumbent government’s offer for dialogue to resolve political matters.
“It is very simple and clear that they [PML-N] are needy and are controlled by remote. They have made it to Parliament through Form 45 despite that people rejected them. Now they call for talks. They are not competent to have talks. Yes, we will negotiate. But we will negotiate with the army chief and ISI DG—the armed forces of Pakistan,” he said while appearing on Shahzad Iqbal’s show Naya Pakistan aired on Geo News on Friday.
His criticism was directed towards PML-N leader Talal Chaudhry, another guest on the show.
The discussion on talks with Khan to bring political stability to the country restarted after Arif Habib, the chief of Arif Habib Group, made such a suggestion to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his visit to Karachi earlier this week.
Habib urged him to do a “few more handshakes”, including trade with India and patching up with a resident of Adiala Jail (a reference to jailed PTI leader Imran Khan).
But the PTI has rejected talks with the government. On Tuesday, PTI Secretary Information Rauf Hassan told Aaj News that the PTI was ready to hold talks only with those who hold power in Pakistan: establishment.
Afridi added that former prime minister Imran Khan does not want the National Reconciliation Ordinance – a term often used in Pakistan’s politics for seeking relief – added that the PTI founder would fight his cases in the court.
When asked if it was Khan’s wish to talk to military’s leadership, he said: “Right from the first day, my leader’s intention was to have engagement and there was no response from the other side.”
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He said: “We are talking to the army chief for the better future of Pakistan as all things end with the establishment.”
Afridi added that former prime minister Imran Khan does not want the National Reconciliation Ordinance – a term often used in Pakistan’s politics for seeking relief – added that the PTI founder would fight his cases in the court.
Afridi expressed hope that dialogue with the military would soon occur.
