PTI still in talks with establishment, claims Raoof Hasan

KARACHI: Senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Raoof Hasan has stressed that his political party is still in talks with the establishment. He made the claim during the Geo News programme ‘Naya Pakistan’ on Friday.

When the show’s host, Shahzad Iqbal, quoted Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi as saying that no negotiations are being held with the PTI, Hasan pointed out that his party’s “negotiations are being held with people who are perhaps above Naqvi’s level, with people who matter. If Naqvi doesn’t want to believe, that’s his problem, not ours”. The PTI leader reiterated that “negotiations have not ended. They’re still under way”. He also said: “A lot of issues are on board. It’s about changing the mindset. If negotiations progress and there’s hope of a result, we can think about them.”

“Given the state of the country, negotiations have become inevitable,” he said. “Negotiations between the establishment and the PTI are inevitable. The country can’t progress without them. Everyone can see that the country is currently in trouble.” He clarified that holding protests, not issuing threats, is the party’s legal right, which they are exercising. He also clarified that if the call persists, their November 24 protest would succeed.

“People are prepared for the protest. They want to join it. I’m in favour of dialogue. Problems should be solved at the table on a priority basis. A protest will be very effective.”