LAHORE: Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former prime minister Imran Khan on Friday offered conditional talks to coalition government, which is being considered a significant positive development amid the ongoing political crisis in the country.
The PTI chairman extended dialogue offer to PDM government while addressing the PTI’s Punjab parliamentary party via a video link from his Lahore’s Zaman Park residence.
Extending an invitation to the PDM government over the possibility of early general elections, Imran Khan said that 66 percent of Pakistan would have to vote for the by-polls if assemblies were dissolved in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He went on to say that PTI has the full backing of PML-Q and CM Punjab Chaudhry Pervez Elahi will dissolve the provincial assembly on his first call.
“Give us a date for elections or we will dissolve the KP and Punjab assemblies,” Khan said in a video address, adding that the incumbent government has no roadmap for the revival of the economy.
“Early general elections is the only way to save the country from default,” said Imran and lamented the rising inflation and unemployment rate during current govt tenure.
The former premier also slammed Federal Minister Ishaq Dar over his “poor” economic policies.
Govt to respond to Imran’s offer after consulting allies
Responding to Imran Khan’s negotiations offer, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan on Friday said the federal government would respond to the offer after consultation with the allies.
Talking to a private news channel, the federal minister said Imran Khan had previously stated that he would not talk with political parties. However, he said, once again “Khan deviated from his own words”.
“Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has always believed in political dialogue to break down barriers and find solutions. When political leaders sit together, deadlocks are broken and ways are found,” he added.
Answering a question on the next elections’ possible date, the interior minister said that it was premature to make any predictions on the date of the elections until after the negotiations with allied parties.
Moreover, Imran’s announcement to dissolve the provincial assemblies was criticized by the minister, stating categorically that Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) would not support any unconstitutional action.
“If elections were forced upon us by dissolving assemblies or by resigning en-masse, the coalition parties would vigorously campaign against it,” he asserted.
October 2023 is election month: Marriyum
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Friday advised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’ to wait for next general election till October 2023.
“October 2023” was the ultimate election month, the minister said in a tweet in reference to a news channel’s report carrying Imran Khan’s demand for talks for the snap polls’ date in a threatening tone.__Pakistan Today
