Govt-PTI talks paused due to NA speaker’s foreign visit: Sana

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Wednesday revealed that the ongoing negotiations between the PTI and the government were stalled due to the unavailability of National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in the country.

Addressing a press conference, Sanaullah said the NA speaker was on a foreign tour, adding that talks would resume as soon as he returns to the country.

The two sides, after months of a political tug-of-war, have held two negotiation sessions on December 27, 2024 and on January 2, 2025. However, the unexpected delay in the third round of talks triggered speculations about the future of the PTI-government talks.

Blasting the former ruling party, the PM’s aide said that PTI was spreading the “narrative of lies” on social media platforms.

Referring to PTI’s claims about causalities during the November 26 protest and facilities to incarcerated former prime minister Imran in Central Jail Rawalpindi, he said that the Khan-founded party was spreading false propaganda deliberately.

Taking a dig at the PTI, he said the former ruling party shared a picture of a Palestinian ambulance on social media, claiming that their supporters were being killed.

The former security czar said Aleema Khan — the PTI founder’s sister — had claimed that a plan was being prepared to poison the former prime minister in jail.

But in a recent leaked video, she was talking about politics and political mileage, he added.

“The PTI founder is being provided all the facilities as per the jail manual.”

The PM’s aide accused the PTI of hatching conspiracy against the country and the state institutions.

False propaganda is being spread against the government under a well-thought-out plan, he said, adding: “PTI is trying to create political instability in the country.”

They didn’t have evidence in support of their claims but social media propaganda, he added.

The PM’s aide said that the probably PTI would not share their demands in writing.

Responding to a question, he clarified that the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust corruption reference against the ex-premier and his wife had nothing to do with the dialogue process. He stressed the need for national dialogue to defuse political tensions in the country.

Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has regretted allegations levelled by some PTI leaders and MNAs regarding his role in the negotiation process expressing his willingness to withdraw from the process.

In his statement, he clarified that his role in government-opposition negotiations is purely that of a facilitator, and arranging a meeting with the party’s founding chairman is neither his mandate nor his responsibility.

He expressed disappointment over claims that attempts to contact the Speaker’s office were not positively received. He reiterated that his doors have always been open on everyone, and he has never refused a meeting with any member of the National Assembly.

Furthermore, he stated if PTI leaders believe that he should withdraw from the negotiation process, he is willing to consider such proposal to uphold the neutrality and integrity of the Speaker’s office.

NA Speaker also emphasised that his visit abroad does not hinder his ability to arrange meetings. He stated that he is always ready to facilitate such arrangements upon the request of the government and opposition.