ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) cannot compel the government to accept its demands by creating political instability or
disrupting state affairs.
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Speaking to reporters in Islamabad on Wednesday, Sanaullah said the government remained willing to engage in dialogue but would not allow negotiations to become a means of exerting pressure.
“The doors for talks are open,” he said, referring to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent call for the PTI leadership to abandon its planned protest and return to negotiations.
Sanaullah said political dialogue should not be used to force the government into accepting demands. He criticised what he described as an increasingly intolerant political environment, saying political opponents were increasingly resorting to personal attacks rather than constructive debate.
The remarks came after government-opposition negotiations ended without agreement over the PTI’s proposed march on Islamabad.
Sanaullah also rejected the PTI’s criticism of the government’s counterterrorism policy, describing its claim that the party was being excluded from decisions as misleading.
He said Pakistan’s existing counterterrorism strategy was already being implemented through intelligence-based operations conducted by security and law-enforcement agencies.
According to the adviser, the ongoing operations did not represent a new campaign that would result in mass displacement. He said security forces and law-enforcement personnel continued to risk their lives in operations against militants.
Sanaullah also referred to the government’s position on terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, saying Pakistan had repeatedly asked the Afghan authorities to prevent their territory from being used against Pakistan.
He said Islamabad had shared evidence during previous rounds of talks regarding attacks allegedly originating from Afghan soil. However, he claimed the Afghan interim government had not provided assurances that its territory would not be used for militant activities targeting Pakistan.
Sanaullah said Pakistan reserved the right to take measures against terrorist infrastructure or activities that posed a threat to its security.
Turning to domestic politics, he criticised the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government over its planned mobilisation for protests in Islamabad.
He said the country had witnessed a rise in terrorism-related incidents and pointed to sacrifices made by civilians, children and security personnel, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Sanaullah accused the provincial government of focusing on political activities instead of governance and public welfare.
He maintained that political interests should not be placed above national security and public interest, saying political parties had a responsibility to contribute to stability and democratic dialogue.
