Negotiations Are Never Unconditional, Says Captain Safdar

ABBOTTABAD: Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar, husband of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, has said that negotiations are never unconditional and are always conducted on the principle of give and take.

Speaking to journalists in Abbottabad, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader said that the sisters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan should be released, adding that daughters and sisters are equally respected by everyone.

Safdar said terrorism had reached alarming levels in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He described Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman as an experienced politician whose views carried weight, and said negotiations should also be held with him.

He reiterated that the creation of Hazara province was a longstanding demand for which significant sacrifices had been made. He added that the PTI’s long march was causing difficulties for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Clarifying his position on the PTI, Safdar said the party was a political organisation and he did not wish to comment on its internal affairs. However, he maintained that the long march was creating problems for the public, particularly children facing difficulties reaching schools and patients struggling to get to hospitals.

He stressed that the process of negotiations should never be discontinued, reiterating that meaningful talks always involve give and take rather than unconditional concessions.

Safdar also said meetings with Imran Khan should take place, while his release should be pursued through the courts.

Expressing concern over the deteriorating security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he said terrorism and unrest had intensified in the province and described a military operation there as extremely necessary.