Adviser to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, has set a deadline for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to respond to the government’s offer for negotiations. Speaking on Geo News’ program Geo Pakistan, he urged PTI leaders to participate in dialogue by midnight tonight.

Government’s Call for Dialogue

Rana Sanaullah reiterated that the ruling coalition is open to discussions for the betterment of the country. He stated that dialogue is a fundamental requirement, emphasizing that even during PTI’s tenure, opposition leaders engaged in discussions despite political differences.

He recalled that when the PML-N was in opposition, Shehbaz Sharif invited the then PTI government for talks to resolve key national issues. He further suggested that if PTI seeks a fact-finding probe into past election results, a parliamentary commission could be formed.

PTI’s Response: Skepticism and Demands for Judicial Commission

Responding to the government’s invitation, PTI founder Imran Khan’s lawyer, Faisal Chaudhry, dismissed the negotiations, accusing the ruling parties of avoiding judicial accountability. He claimed that PTI had already suspended talks with the government due to a lack of seriousness from the ruling coalition.

Faisal Chaudhry also pointed out that PTI is actively working on forming an opposition alliance and demanded that the right to peaceful protest be upheld as a democratic principle. He accused the ruling parties of being insincere in negotiations, stating that meaningful dialogue cannot take place without a transparent and unbiased judicial commission.

What Lies Ahead?

With tensions between the government and PTI escalating, it remains uncertain whether the midnight deadline will lead to any breakthrough in negotiations. As the political climate heats up, the coming hours will be crucial in determining the next course of action for both the government and opposition parties.