Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said on Thursday that most leaders within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) favour negotiations with the government, but the party remains unable to move forward because its founder, Imran Khan, is opposed to any dialogue.
Speaking on ARY News, the senior PML-N leader and former interior minister said Imran Khan’s sole position remains to launch a “street movement,” including a call to paralyse the country on February 8.
“PTI cannot negotiate without Imran Khan’s consent,” Sanaullah said, adding that pressure tactics and attempts at blackmail would not yield political gains.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had invited PTI for talks two to three times, but the overtures were rejected.
Sanaullah said PTI was also planning a protest and a “wheel-jam” strike on February 8, but claimed the call would fail.
“If abusive language and hostility stop, negotiations can take place,” he said, warning that attempts to disrupt normal life could lead to a response similar to May 9.
He alleged that PTI-linked social media accounts were running a campaign against state institutions, particularly the military, making negotiations impossible under the current circumstances.
“No dialogue can happen while such campaigns continue,” he said, adding that the establishment would be “on board” in any talks process with PTI.
The adviser said figures engaging in abusive rhetoric could not be expected to sit across the table for negotiations. He also clarified that veteran politician Mahmood Khan Achakzai had not been given any mandate to represent PTI in talks.
Separately, speaking on Geo News’ Capital Talk, Sanaullah proposed confidence-building talks among five key figures to stabilise the country’s political environment.
“Two of them are my leaders, PM Shehbaz Sharif and Nawaz Sharif. The third is President Asif Ali Zardari, the fourth is [incarcerated PTI founder] Imran Khan, and everyone knows who the fifth person is,” Sanaullah said.
He said the proposal had the backing of the Pakistan Peoples Party and added that a path to meeting Imran Khan could emerge if PTI leadership halted the character assassination of institutional leadership.
Sanaullah said social media accounts spreading hate against state institutions must be shut down, stressing that PTI leadership could not absolve itself of responsibility by claiming no control over them.
“They must disown and close these accounts,” he said, adding that political propaganda, if any, should be directed at rival political parties.
He also warned that PTI would be unable to implement its February 8 protest call and accused the party of steering the country towards chaos rather than pursuing democratic rights.
Sanaullah said that if the PML-N secures a majority in the future, Maryam Nawaz would lead the party, while Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari would be the PPP’s future leader.
