LAHORE: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said he was in favour of the negotiations, highlighting that all the power centres of the country should sit together to find a solution.
“There is army, bureaucracy, politicians, judiciary and media. These are the power centers and they need to sit together to resolve the issues in the country,” said Asif during an address at a ceremony on Saturday.
However, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader warned the government’s negotiating team to not let Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan “take advantage of you”.
Asif’s comments come as the federal government kick-started the talks with the PTI earlier this week at the Parliament House, following months of heightened political tensions.
The inaugural meeting, from the government’s side, was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, PM’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah, Senator Siddiqui, PPP leaders Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Naveed Qamar, and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Farooq Sattar.
Whereas, the PTI was represented by former NA Speaker Asad Qaiser, Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) Chief Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.
The PTI, during the talks, has demanded a judicial probe into May 9 riots and November 26 late-night crackdown and release of “political prisoners”.
The two sides are set to hold multiple sessions to reach a solution which their next meeting scheduled to take place on January 2.
Asif, while addressing the members of the ceremony, said he was not against the negotiations and very much hopes that they are successful.
The defence minister, without naming Khan, highlighted that the history of 10-15 years shows that PML-N has only taken an initiative in the negotiations.
“Anyone, even from the PTI, tell me who he has [Khan] shown loyalty to,” he asked, adding that the former premier did not even attend the funerals of those who spent their lives with him. “He uses people. Don’t let him use you, I am warning you,” he reiterated.
The PML-N leader lamented that whether they were in power or not, they always offered talks but they never received a positive response. “What happened in the last 15 days that they are now ready for talks?” he questioned.
Asif said that he is unable to understand why the Imran Khan-founded was now turning for dialogues.
