PML-N leaders on Saturday said PTI had been sending mixed signals regarding talks with the government, stressing that democracy could only be advanced through “dialogue and not deadlock”.
On Friday, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said that PM Shehbaz would decide on talks with PTI once the opposition party clarifies its stance on negotiations.
PM Shehbaz on Tuesday extended an offer for talks with the opposition.
The PTI outright rejected talks with the government on the directions of party founder Imran Khan, but Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP), of which the PTI is a part, stated its openness to negotiate with the government.
PML-N leaders, including Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, National Assembly speaker Ayaz Sadiq and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, made the remarks while speaking to the media in Sukkur.
The delegation is headed to Garhi Khuda Bakhsh for the 18th death anniversary of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
“On one hand, they (PTI) say we should hold dialogue and then on the other hand, Aleema Khan says anyone in favour of dialogue cannot be a part of the party,” Chaudhry said.
While Sanaullah – in response to a question about the talks and speculation surrounding the PTI founder being moved to Balochistan – maintained: “As a political party, we believe that democracy is advanced through dialogue, not deadlock, which is why both PML-N and PPP have always tried to ensure that all political parties sit down and resolve their political issues through dialogue.”
However, he continued, “the PTI founder has had this attitude since 2011 and then from 2018-2022 and now in 2025 […] he does not believe in political dialogue”.
Addressing the issue of restrictions on visitation, Sanaullah said, “No one can be allowed to plan chaos and anarchy in the country,” alleging that the PTI founder had been doing so through his “meetings, messaging and tweets”.
“As for dialogue, we have always remained ready; we still are. If they want to talk, that’s fine; if they don’t, it’s their decision,” he said.
He also said that the PTI founder’s trials were being held in jail rather than in court, as his “protection remained a top priority for the government”.
On the matter of talks, Sadiq recalled that the PM has “repeatedly said that we are ready for dialogue”.
“In my capacity as the NA speaker, I have also said that the office of speaker is available whenever you want to come and talk, but it seems they will have to make a decision”.
He hoped that “once the PTI agrees […] some way forward can be found”.
“They tell the media that they want to talk; there is an office available, they should come, and we will welcome them,” he added.
The speaker also stated that the ruling coalition (PPP and PML-N) “intended to play a long innings” in their partnership and aimed to “work towards the betterment of Pakistan.”
The NA speaker, in response to a question regarding the speculation surrounding a 28th Constitutional Amendment, said that he had “no knowledge of such a plan”.
Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has stated that there has been no contact with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif – regarding dialogue – in the past 10 days, or even throughout the year.
Responding to claims made by the Prime Minister’s Coordinator, Ikhtiar Wali Khan, on the social media platform X, Gohar on Friday said that the critical issue of the negotiation process should not be treated casually.
“There has been no contact with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the last 10 days or the entire year.
Although I have always been in favour of dialogue, this authority belongs only to Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas,” he explained.
The PTI chairman made it clear, “We have said if we are contacted or if we make any contact, we will definitely inform the public. I would request everyone that the talks are an important matter, do not talk about it frivolously, so that the situation does not worsen further”.