Government Calls PTI’s Offer for Dialogue a ‘Breeze of Fresh Air’

Islamabad – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has referred to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) offer for dialogue as a “breeze of fresh air” after PTI’s Senator Shiraz Afzal Murtaz extended a gesture of goodwill. While speaking in the National Assembly, Khawaja Asif acknowledged that although talks had not yet officially begun, it was the first time a positive gesture had come from PTI, especially after years of political tension.
Khawaja Asif emphasized the need for dialogue on both provincial and national levels, particularly in conflict-prone regions like Parachinar, where security remains fragile. He mentioned that tensions between the Shia and Sunni communities, stemming from land disputes in Kurram, had escalated into violence. The defence minister reiterated that maintaining peace was the primary responsibility of provincial governments, while also urging that issues be addressed through understanding rather than through threats.
“As per the Constitution, the primary responsibility lies with the provincial government, but political dialogue remains essential,” Asif said, adding that the country has witnessed severe political bitterness since 2018. He also mentioned that although PTI’s offer was a positive step, formal negotiations had not yet been initiated. “We are open to discussion, but political responsibility must follow constitutional duties,” he asserted.
PML-N’s Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, in his address to the Assembly, highlighted that the government was prepared for dialogue on all issues. “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has already expressed his readiness for talks on any matter,” he said. Sanaullah acknowledged that PTI’s calls for negotiation were significant but noted that they should be followed by responsible action, referencing a specific response from PTI leader Omar Ayub Khan.
Federal Minister for Information, Attaullah Tarar, also supported the call for dialogue, stating that such gestures were important for fostering political harmony. He emphasized that the ruling party had never shied away from engaging with the opposition, citing past instances where PML-N leaders showed solidarity with political adversaries, including offering support during PTI’s leadership’s health crises.
Tarar further stated that the PML-N was committed to a politics of tolerance and avoided inciting violence among its supporters. “Shiraz Afzal Murtaz has made a good start, and we should continue in the spirit of peace and cooperation,” Tarar concluded.
Despite the positive rhetoric, it remains unclear when formal talks between the ruling government and PTI will begin, with political tensions continuing to simmer across the country.