Irfan Siddiqui Clarifies No Offer Made for Imran Khan’s House Arrest, Talks on PTI’s Demands to Continue
Senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Senator Irfan Siddiqui has stated that no offer was made to shift Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to house arrest. Speaking in an interview with a private TV channel, Siddiqui clarified that there had been no such proposition, adding that if the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has begun thinking about moving forward through negotiations, it is a positive development.
Siddiqui said that PTI’s demands will be presented soon, and that will help in understanding their priorities. He emphasized that the PML-N is open to discussing PTI’s demands but clarified that the ruling party has no specific demands of its own. However, he noted that PML-N would present some suggestions during the talks.
On the issue of prisoner releases, Siddiqui mentioned that PTI is aware of the procedures involved, as they have been in power before. He further added that any discussions related to the release of prisoners would involve legal consultations and input from the leadership.
“We have informally consulted on PTI’s demands, and tomorrow we will see the tone and approach of PTI’s negotiating team,” he said. He also emphasized that the PML-N will not simply say “yes” or “no” to PTI’s demands, as they need to take past precedents into account. He stressed that PTI must understand the limits within which the government operates when making demands.
When asked about PTI’s stance on the military, Siddiqui expressed hope that if PTI decides to change its narrative regarding the armed forces, it would be a positive move. He reiterated that the PML-N has no concerns in this regard, as the military remains a strong pillar of the nation’s defense.
Siddiqui concluded by stating that the government believes in performance and highlighted that the achievements of the past nine months are clear for the public to see. He claimed that the national economy is steadily improving under the current administration.
It is worth noting that the second round of talks between the government and PTI’s negotiating committees will take place tomorrow afternoon at the Parliament House.