PESHAWAR:
Shaukat Yousafzai, senior leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), said that the third round of talks between the government and his party may be the last as the leadership’s attitude is not serious. He added that the government seemed to be in the background.
He added that Imran Khan had already said that the government lacked authority, but it was good that the PTI initiated talks to expose the government.
He stressed that the establishment should now realize that the PML-N and PPP are a burden on the country. “They talk about Pakistan’s progress, but where is the money?” » he questioned. Yousafzai argued that without law and order, the rule of law and political stability, no one would invest in Pakistan.
He slammed the government for taking loans amounting to Rs27 trillion in two years, asking where this amount was spent and demanding accountability as the public did not receive any relief.
He accused the government of being afraid of negotiations, questioning why Imran Khan’s negotiating committee is not allowed to meet if the government actually has the authority. Yousafzai dismissed allegations of development in Punjab, saying distribution of laptops cannot win hearts. He pointed out that many young people accepted Maryam Nawaz’s laptops but replaced her photo with that of Imran Khan.
Expressing disappointment over the media spat between Afzal Marwat and Salman Akram Raja, he urged senior leaders to ensure discipline within the party.
It seems that the party’s provincial and central leaders are on the same page when it comes to talks with the government.
The PTI central leadership on Thursday questioned the dialogue process with the PML-N-led government after the ruling coalition failed to arrange a meeting between PTI’s incarcerated founding president Imran Khan, and the party’s negotiating committee. The meeting could not take place despite earlier promises that it would take place.
Speaking about the delayed meeting with former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Adiala jail ahead of the next round of talks, the PTI leadership said doubts now loom over the other side’s ability to deliver on its promises.
Despite the government’s failure to allow its negotiating committee access to the party chief in Adiala jail, the PTI leadership has categorically declared that it will not walk away from the dialogue process.
At the same time, he is waiting for the next “apology” from the government.
