Defence Minister Khawaja Asif expressed on Saturday his opposition to engaging in talks with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), distancing himself from any such efforts within his party.
Speaking to journalists following a high-level consultative meeting of PML-N's top leadership at the party's Model Town secretariat on Thursday, Asif was asked whether he supported discussions with PTI.
In a clear response, the Defence Minister stated, "I am not part of any such team and am not in favor of talks with PTI."
The meeting, chaired by PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, reportedly focused on the ongoing political situation in the country.
While the leadership agreed to continue dialogue with other political figures, including Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Khawaja Asif's comments indicate a divide within the party on the matter of engaging with PTI.
Speculation has been rife in the media that PML-N is considering backdoor negotiations with PTI, facilitated by Mahmood Achakzai, the leader of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP).
However, Asif's strong stance against any engagement with PTI reflects the internal challenges the party may face in reaching a consensus on this issue. When asked about the future of PTI founder Imran Khan, Asif remarked, "I am not an astrologer; I cannot make any predictions in this regard."
