Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had achieved its goal of establishing contact with the country’s establishment, Express News reported.
Addressing the media outside Parliament on Monday, he commented on PTI’s ongoing negotiations with the government. “The PTI has confirmed that it has contacted the establishment. If so, what is the need to negotiate with us? he asked.
Asif pointed out that the PTI’s goal was to reach the establishment, and they achieved it. “Negotiations are part of politics, but their efforts have been focused elsewhere,” he added.
On external pressure, he reiterated Pakistan’s position on sovereignty. “If there is a foreign demand for the release of the PTI leader, we will act in accordance with our national interests. We do not interfere in the internal affairs of others and we will not tolerate any interference in our own,” he said.
Asif also responded to questions regarding the Sharif brothers, stating that their meetings are normal as they are family.
“During the PTI’s negotiations with us, cases against their leaders were underway and witnesses had already testified,” he said, adding that the PTI recognized that the decisions would not impact the negotiations.
The Defense Minister concluded by emphasizing the importance of preserving Pakistan’s internal and external interests while refusing any external pressure.
