Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar dismissed reports about a meeting and discussion between PM Shehbaz Sharif and senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser, stressing that formal discussions have not occurred between the government and the previous ruling party.
Talking on Geo News’ Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath program, Tarar said that the prime minister did not meet Qaiser or National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq at Sadiq’s house. No such meeting occurred, said Tarar, addressing speculation about possible back-channel talks to cool political temperatures after PTI’s recent civil disobedience threat.
This followed an earlier report of an “icebreaker” meeting held this morning at the Speaker House in Islamabad, where National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq invited PTI leaders Asad Qaiser, Omar Ayub, and Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza to join. This meeting, which was in the wake of a telephonic conversation held by Sadiq and Qaiser, was judged by insiders as the very first step toward bringing the squabbling PTI and the beleaguered government to the table.
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Even in light of this, Tarar has maintained that there have been informal exchanges up till now. “Nothing has happened; up until now, on the PTI’s part, in informal ways.” It is not that the government officially opened confidential channels and formed negotiation committees with the PTI, he added. “Lest the PTI has made an apology and expressed regret over the events of May 9 and November 26, no dialogue will take place.”
“They’re just creating false narratives that are aimed at damaging the reputation of the state. How can anybody trust the PTI or their guarantees?” asked Tarar in reference to the PTI’s more recent political positions and activity. Along with that, he criticized the PTI for using provincial resources to contest the federal government.
The PTI had declared a “do-or-die” march on November 24, during which it restricted itself from gathering at D-Chowk in Islamabad. Those words of Tarar have come in the wake of this announcement. According to the minister, the government has evidence of the actions of the PTI at that time.
He maintained that the governing hands are doubtfully viewing the PP’s credibility while again reiterating the charge to the party regarding backtracking from earlier commitments, particularly during the discussion of the 26th Constitutional Amendment.