Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Rejects Dialogue with PTI Following Violent Riots

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated on Tuesday that his government is unwilling to engage in talks with Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) due to the party’s nationwide violent riots on May 9.

In a tweet, the prime minister acknowledged the importance of dialogue in the political process, which helps democracy mature and evolve. He mentioned that many political and constitutional breakthroughs have occurred through consensus-building among political leaders.

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However, he emphasized a significant difference when it comes to the PTI-led party. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that those who engage in anarchic and militant actions, disguising themselves as politicians while attacking state symbols, do not qualify for dialogue. He asserted that they should be held accountable for their actions.

The deposed prime minister, who was removed from office through a vote of no confidence in April of the previous year, expressed his readiness to speak with “anyone who is in power” after witnessing several top leaders of his own party deserting him following the May 9 riots.

Imran Khan had announced the formation of a committee to engage in talks with the current government on two issues: the possibility of him leaving politics if it benefits the country, and the benefits of holding elections in October.

The PTI had recently formed a seven-member negotiation team comprising Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Pervez Khattak, Asad Qaiser, Haleem Adil Sheikh, Murad Saeed, Hammad Azhar, and Aun Abbasi to negotiate with the incumbent government.

Khan’s party has faced the brunt of the state’s force after PTI workers burnt and vandalized military installations, including the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, following Khan’s arrest on May 9, which the army termed as a “Black Day.”

In response to Khan’s offer for talks, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb also rejected it. The information minister stated that dialogue cannot be held with those who set the country on fire, create chaos and anarchy, and propagate hatred among the masses. She accused Khan of seeking a National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) rather than genuine negotiations.

The information minister further asserted that talks cannot be held with those who have poisoned the minds of the youth and who are the leaders of criminals and terrorists.