(Web Desk) – Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said on Friday that several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders are willing to engage in talks with the government, but the party’s jailed founder Imran Khan remains opposed, even as the party stands by its plan to hold protests on February 8.
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Speaking on Geo News programme Naya Pakistan with Shahzad Iqbal, Sanaullah said the government has been in contact with PTI leaders and believes many favour negotiations. “When politicians sit down to talk, solutions emerge and a path forward opens,” he said.
However, he added that PTI leaders often say Imran Khan is not in favour of any dialogue at this stage. Sanaullah noted that the party’s mobilisation and speeches suggest it is pressing ahead with the February 8 protest.
He said PTI leaders feel that if they are allowed to meet Imran Khan, they might be able to persuade him to delay the protest and start talks. Sanaullah, however, maintained that any such meeting or dialogue could only take place after February 8.
The adviser also indicated that the government would handle the protest “administratively” and urged PTI to return to parliamentary committee proceedings.
Earlier, PTI’s Barrister Ali Zafar said talks could not move forward unless meetings with Imran Khan were allowed. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated his offer for dialogue, stressing that discussions should be held on “legitimate matters.”
