PTI Authorizes Achakzai and Allama Nasir Abbas for Talks as Political Dialogue Debate Continues
Islamabad:Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has said that the authority to hold negotiations has been given to Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Nasir Abbas.
Speaking to Geo News, Salman Akram Raja stated that Mahmood Achakzai was right in saying that talks cannot be held with those who have committed “theft.” He said that first it must be acknowledged that the entire system collectively deprived the people of their mandate. “If this is accepted, then we can move forward towards transparent elections,” he added.
He further said that PTI founder Imran Khan has clearly stated that PTI itself will not hold talks, rather negotiations should be conducted through the opposition alliance. Salman Akram Raja added that if talks are to be held without acknowledging electoral wrongdoing, then someone else should be approached. He questioned how negotiations could be possible when cases are registered and meetings are not allowed.
Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said he would not comment on the statement made by Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, regarding negotiations. He added that if Mahmood Achakzai has the mandate to negotiate, he should proceed with talks.
It may be recalled that Aleema Khan had earlier said that those talking about negotiations were not aligned with the PTI founder.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has once again invited Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to dialogue. Addressing a federal cabinet meeting, the prime minister said that the PTI founder and his associates were speaking about negotiations, adding that he had already invited PTI leadership for talks in the past.
He said that he had also extended an offer for dialogue on the floor of the National Assembly and reiterated the invitation, stressing that talks could only be held on legitimate demands. “Blackmailing under the guise of negotiations will not be accepted,” the prime minister added.
