Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, delivered a firm message on Tuesday, stating that the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and his spouse must adhere strictly to court directives, emphasizing that the law applies equally to all citizens.
Government Clarifies Stance on Prison Meetings
Addressing media representatives, Sanaullah pointed out that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has established a clear protocol for meetings with the incarcerated PTI founder. He clarified that during the latest meeting, both the PTI founder and his wife were present together, and there should be no ambiguity regarding the government's compliance with judicial orders in this matter.
Repeated Offers for Political Dialogue
Sanaullah detailed the government's efforts to initiate talks, revealing that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has extended offers for dialogue on multiple occasions. These offers were made twice from the floor of the National Assembly and later reiterated during a federal cabinet meeting. However, the adviser lamented that PTI leaders have consistently responded by claiming they lack the mandate to engage in negotiations.
He stressed that the prime minister makes such significant political overtures only after thorough consultations with the establishment and the leadership of the ruling party.
Criticism of PTI's Strategy and a Warning
The PM's adviser criticized the PTI's contradictory stance, noting that whenever the party announces a protest campaign, it simultaneously accuses the government of proposing talks merely as a tactic to defuse pressure. He stated that the PTI is welcome to proceed with its announced "wheel-jam" protest scheduled for February if it so desires.
Sanaullah further claimed that the PTI has again set preconditions for meetings before considering talks, despite the prime minister's open invitation for negotiations. He accused the PTI founder of a consistent pattern of avoiding dialogue and showing unwillingness to come to the negotiating table, a tactic he allegedly employed during his own tenure as prime minister by refusing to engage with political rivals.
Rana Sanaullah concluded with a cautionary note, warning that a policy of confrontation with the state would ultimately be detrimental to the PTI founder himself, and such an approach cannot find any legitimate support.
