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PM Shehbaz Sharif’s Offer for Dialogue Rejected by PTI, Conditional on Imran Khan's Release
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's call for dialogue met with firm rejection by PTI, demanding the release of Imran Khan and other detained leaders. #
ND
by News Desk
2024-06-27
PM Shehbaz Sharif’s Offer for Dialogue Rejected by PTI, Conditional on Imran Khan's Release

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's renewed offer for dialogue with the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was met with strong conditions on Wednesday. The PTI made any talks conditional on the release of their founding chairman Imran Khan and other detained party leaders and activists.

During a heated session in the National Assembly, PM Shehbaz addressed PTI members, responding to their allegations of political victimization and mistreatment of Imran Khan at Adiala Jail. “If any hardships are being faced by your [PTI’s] founder in jail, then [let’s] talk about them,” said the prime minister, emphasizing the need for dialogue despite past grievances.

PM Shehbaz recounted the hardships faced by him and his party members during PTI’s tenure, yet expressed a willingness to engage in talks to resolve current issues. He also reiterated his call for a Charter of Economy, a proposal he has made repeatedly without positive response.

However, PTI's Opposition Leader Omar Ayub dismissed the offer, stating that talks could only occur if Imran Khan and other party members were released from jail. He accused the government of harsh treatment towards Imran Khan, claiming he was being kept in a death cell and oven-like conditions, contrasting it with the alleged favorable treatment received by the Sharif brothers during their imprisonments.

In another significant speech, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman opposed the planned anti-terrorism operation Azm-i-Istehkam, warning that areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could fall under Taliban control within months. He criticized the government's approach to the ongoing insurgency and its impact on local populations.

Maulana Fazl also expressed dissatisfaction with the government's handling of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the erstwhile FATA regions, stating they had not received adequate support for rehabilitation. He criticized the prime minister’s recent visit to China, labeling it diplomatically unsuccessful due to a lack of political stability and security in Pakistan.

The National Assembly session also saw the passage of over Rs8.78 trillion for 121 demands for grants for the fiscal year 2024-25, despite opposition challenges and protests over the censoring of their speeches.

The political landscape in Pakistan remains tense, with dialogue and reconciliation appearing elusive amid deep-seated grievances and ongoing power struggles.
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