PTI spurns PM’s offer for talks

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday offered Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) the formation of a National Assembly’s house committee to take forward the process of talks between the government and the opposition.

“I am wholeheartedly ready and with good intentions to advance the dialogue process, take forward parleys so that the nation moves forward as the country cannot afford more damage.

“However, a house committee, which Imran Niazi constituted after the 2018 elections, should also complete its work,” the PM said while speaking in the federal cabinet meeting.

The PM also conditioned the probe into the November 26 incidents to PTI’s sit-in in the federal capital in 2014. “When it comes to probe into the November 26 incidents, then 2014 sit-in should also be probed by the house committee,” he said.

Shehbaz, in his address, clarified that the government would not agree to a judicial commission but the National Assembly’s house committee. He said the government accepted PTI’s offer of talks very genuinely; a committee was constituted and a very conductive environment was provided “but they are fleeing the dialogue process”.

The PM said as agreed by the two sides, the government committee was to respond in writing to the PTI’s written demands on January 28, but they (PTI) refused to come and sit in the meeting. He recalled that as he, along with other party MNAs, had entered the NA hall after the 2018 elections, while wearing black ribbon on their shoulders when the PTI founder Imran Niazi had offered to form a house committee, which he had announced on the floor of the house. “A house committee was formed, not a judicial commission, which we accepted,” he said regretting that hardly a single meeting of the house committee took place later.

Shehbaz, however, said the house committee formed in 2018 should complete its work with regard to then general election and the incumbent government was ready to constitute a house committee to probe the February 8 polls. “It takes two to tango,” the PM added.

While welcoming further reduction in policy rate by one per cent by the State Bank of Pakistan, the PM said the rate should have been reduced by two per cent. “It will help industrial and production sectors to grow so that dream of progress was materialised,” he added.

Turning to war on terrorism, the prime minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to honour and respect the sacrifices rendered by martyrs, and take Pakistan towards prosperity and security. While mentioning martyrdom of 29-year-old officer in North Waziristan on Thursday, he paid glowing tribute to the armed forces of Pakistan, police and other law-enforcement agencies for their unwavering dedication towards safeguarding the nation. “The young officer of Pakistan Army was married in December, 2024 and he sacrificed his life for the country,” he recalled.

The PM voiced concerns over human smuggling which, he noted, not only claimed precious lives of Pakistanis but also tarnished the country’s image. “A comprehensive probe into tragic incidents is also under way and black sheep in the system will be unearthed,” he added. He said he also held a meeting with the interior minister on Wednesday to take measures to curb human trafficking.

Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan Thursday rejected outright PM Shehbaz Sharif’s offer of formation of a parliamentary committee instead of a judicial commission.

Gohar pointed out that his party had not included any demand concerning elections or electoral mandate in its charter of demands. He explained that their demand was for the establishment of a judicial commission and the release of party members. He again accused the government of delaying negotiations and missing a crucial opportunity.

Also, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan totally rejected the talks offer. Speaking to Hamid Mir in Geo News programme ‘Capital Talk’ on Thursday, he said all three demands of the PTI were not accepted by the government committee. He said the talks offer was too late to be accepted by the PTI. “Now the PTI would make an alliance with all the opposition parties, and launch an anti-government movement,” he declared.

Separately, Leader of the Opposition in Senate Shibli Faraz also rejected the proposed house committee proposal and contended that such an approach was not appropriate. He argued that a house committee was not the right way to proceed and criticised the government’s approach. He charged that the prime minister’s true stance was reflected in his behaviour towards other political parties.