ISLAMABAD: The opposition and treasury benches in the National Assembly on Tuesday criticized each other over the alleged killing of PTI protesters and the martyrdom of Rangers and policemen, while also expressing ‘willingness’ for talks.
“For the first time there was a pleasant breeze from the opposition […] But negotiations cannot take place at the point of a gun,” Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said on the floor of the National Assembly on Tuesday.
In a post on X, jailed PTI founder Imran Khan warned the government that if his demands – a judicial inquiry on May 9, 2023, riots and a crackdown on PTI protesters on November 26 and its A “civil disobedience” movement would be launched in case of release. Political prisoners are not visited.
The ousted prime minister also formed a five-member negotiating committee comprising Umar Ayub Khan, Ali Amin Gandapur, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Salman Akram Raja and Asad Qaiser.
Earlier this week, an agreement between the former ruling party and the government to use the parliamentary forum for talks was reported by PTI. It came after the meeting of the main leader of Asad Qaiser with Speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq.
However, Qaiser denied these reports saying that he had gone to Sadiq’s residence to offer condolences. “There has been no discussion regarding negotiations. [NA] He further said that the government has also said that no talks have been initiated with PTI.
Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly today, the Defense Minister criticized the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for prioritizing the Islamabad march over the Kuram clashes. “It is the duty of the provincial government to establish law and order in their respective provinces.”
He said that after constitutional responsibilities come political responsibilities, adding that the members of the national or provincial assemblies have sworn allegiance to the constitution.
Asif noted that there has been no formal discussion with Imran Khan’s party yet, stressing that if they all belong to this House, matters should be resolved in the same building. He also termed the formation of the negotiation committee by PTI as “meaningless” and said that when there is a lack of seriousness, it does not matter.
Referring to the recent protests in Islamabad, he criticized PTI’s “double standards” for not condemning the martyrdom of Rangers and police personnel. Who martyred the security personnel. […] There should be no choice in condemnation.”
Recalling his days in prison, Asif said the authorities “took away” his blanket from him at 6 degrees Celsius in the prison. He said he spent twelve nights on the prayer carpet, but “did not beg”. “Politicians should show tolerance,” he said, adding that complaining hurts self-esteem.
The minister reiterated that repeated attacks on Islamabad and calls for civil disobedience will not pave the way for negotiations. “The nation is suffering in our political war,” he said, stressing the need for “a change that would create a good environment”.
Assistant to the Prime Minister for Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, while speaking in the National Assembly, said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the opposition benches in the Assembly and expressed his willingness to negotiate with them. However, he regretted the reaction and tone used by Opposition Leader Umar Ayub Khan.
He pointed out that the purpose of the special permission given to PTI leaders to meet the jailed party founder was to start negotiations. “But serious efforts went in vain,” he lamented.
He further said that his party was in favor of talks when the then Prime Minister Imran Khan “hunted” the then opposition parties.
Sanaullah asserted that this parliamentary democratic system cannot function until the opposition leader and the Leader of the House sit down and discuss.
The adviser said that a statement came out indicating that a committee has been formed for negotiations, and whoever wants to negotiate can go ahead. “If PTI is serious, it should approach the government that a committee has been formed and we want to negotiate,” he added.
He asserted that the office of the Speaker of the House is a “neutral position”. He added that it is as much ours as yours and the current Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has always maintained his neutrality.
Mixed signal
Meanwhile, PTI lawmakers in the lower house expressed willingness to negotiate with the government but said they would “not beg”. Firebrand politician Sher Afzal Marwat says that Terms of References (TORs) should be prepared for negotiations.
Speaking on the NA floor, Marwat said that any negotiations would not be successful until “the political forces discuss the TORs”, adding that he would later agree terms with the establishment. And references should be discussed. He asked if it is not possible to form a committee to solve the problems and make TORs.
PTI lawmaker Ali Muhammad Khan, on his part, criticized the current government for “shooting” protesters in Islamabad, saying politicians don’t shoot, but talk.
“During our time, PPP and JUI-F took long marches but not a single shot was fired,” he said, adding that their hands were not “stained with blood”.
“When we did not give rights to West Pakistan, they formed Bangladesh,” he asked, asking what would have happened if they had been allowed to form the government. He said that his party will not beg for negotiations. If you think you can run the country without Imran Khan, then try.