Govt to keep establishment on board over PTI talks: Rana Sanaullah

Adviser to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said on Wednesday that the government will keep the establishment on board during its potential talks with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).Responding to a question whether the government has a mandate to hold talks with the Imran Khan-founded party, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader said talks with the PTI will be subject to the approval of the party chief Nawaz Sharif. .The remarks come against the backdrop of prevailing ambiguity surrounding the PTI-government dialogue which have been the talk of the town ever since the party’s founder, Imran Khan, formed a five-member negotiation committee.The committee comprising NA Opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Salman Akram Raja and Asad Qaiser has been mandated to demand the release of “political prisoners” facing trial and the constitution of a judicial commission to probe the events of May 9, 2023 and a late-night crackdown on the PTI protesters on November 26.The former ruling party had even announced launching a civil disobedience movement — which has now been deferred by Khan for a “few days” on the “PTI leaders’ request”.Earlier today, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq expressed readiness to play his role in prospective parleys between the treasury and opposition benches.Sanaullah, while speaking during the interview today, said that they had talked to the speaker and the negotiations can start by Sunday.”The prime minister had clearly said in the House that he is ready to discuss every issue,” he said.The adviser to the PM said that the PTI can fulfill its desire if it is in a hurry to launch a civil disobedience movement. However, he added, the party will not gain anything from it and it will fail.Sanaullah further said that no offer was made to release the PTI founder. He stressed that political issues are resolved only through dialogue.