Shaukat Yousafzai Accuses Some Ministers of Sabotaging PTI-Govt Talks

Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shaukat Yousafzai has alleged that some government ministers do not want the negotiations between the PTI and the government to succeed.

In a conversation with a private TV channel, Shaukat Yousafzai stated that if the intentions are good, everything is possible. He emphasized that the current situation should not be viewed as a dead-end, and there are still multiple options available, depending on the political will.

Referring to senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Yousafzai suggested that Asif is worried about Rehana Dar entering the assembly and is trying to sabotage the negotiations between the government and PTI due to his concerns over his own political constituency.

Yousafzai further stressed that political stability in the country could only be achieved if the government engages in meaningful dialogue with PTI, the largest political party in Pakistan. He also criticized the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), stating that despite their complaints about not being in government, they had successfully reached the President’s House.

Regarding the ongoing situation in Pakistan, Yousafzai stated that civil disobedience continues in the country, and its continuation or cessation depends on the outcome of the negotiations. He reiterated that PTI’s fundamental stance would never change, particularly regarding the core issues raised by the party. As for the statements from the European Union and the United Kingdom, Yousafzai clarified that these are related to human rights in Pakistan and not influenced by any lobbying.

On the situation in Kurram district, Yousafzai claimed that a ceasefire agreement had been reached, with one party having signed the deal, while the other had requested a two-day extension for further consultation.

In response to Shaukat Yousafzai’s comments, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, the spokesperson for the government’s negotiating committee, expressed that the first round of negotiations was a positive development. He added that the second round of talks on January 2 would focus on discussing PTI’s Charter of Demands.