The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Wednesday decided against initiating the dialogues with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Expressing his thoughts on Samaa TV, PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui, while emphasizing the government's policy, said, "The PTI has denounced the invitation of the prime minister and National Assembly speaker for holding the talks."
"This party is not formed for holding talks and embracing the democratic attitude. We will see afterward whether they are serious to hold talks or not," Siddiqui said.
"But we are not giving an offer to hold the talks. Now it is up to the PTI that when the party needs to hold serious talks," said the PML-N senator.
He added, "It would have been better for the PTI to not come to hold talks without any intent. If the PTI wants to hold talks, it should show the seriousness like we [the government] are showing."
Siddiqui took a jibe at PTI founder Imran Khan, saying, "Now, the PTI founder has started to pen the letters."
"If the PTI founder picks up any line of action, this will be better for both himself and the entire country," said Siddiqui.
Also Read: PTI rejects govt's latest invitation for talks, says chapter closed
Separately, few days back, the PTI had once again refused to engage in political talks with the government, rejecting the latest invitation from the National Assembly speaker.
Speaking exclusively to Samaa TV, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omer Ayub Khan declared that the “chapter of talks is now closed.”
He emphasised that political negotiations are not based on mere wishes but require firm commitments, which, according to him, the government failed to demonstrate.
Omer Ayub criticised the government's approach, stating that while the PTI had initiated discussions in good faith, the ruling authorities neither displayed goodwill nor ill intent -- leading to a deadlock.
“We started the negotiations seriously, but the government did not accept our demands. Since they were not willing to proceed with sincerity, we see no point in continuing talks,” he said.
The opposition leader made it clear that the PTI will no longer pursue talks with the government. “We will not negotiate now,” he stated firmly, adding that his party had given a fair chance to dialogue, but the government’s lack of commitment hindered progress.
On Feb 7, the federal government had extended another offer for dialogue to the PTI, emphasising that the doors for negotiations have never been closed. National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq had confirmed that the government’s negotiation committee remained intact and had not been dissolved.
Speaking to the media, Ayaz Sadiq said that despite political differences, PTI members were still in contact with the government. He also highlighted that the initiative for talks must come from within PTI itself.
“If approval comes from within the PTI, then they will approach us,” he stated.
