Federal govt decides not to hold negotiation with Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD, May 25 (SABAH): The federal government has decided that there will be no negotiations with the former prime minister and Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan at present and that his party will not be granted any political or legal relief.

According to a private TV channel, the federal government decided that Chairman PTI Imran Khan as well as his party would not given any political or legal relief and no discussion would be held with him in these days. It is becoming evident that PTI is politically isolated. The government’s clear policy is not to provide any political or legal relief to PTI following the incidents of May 9 and that the PTI protest dented image of the country at international level.

The government is of the view that there are no changes in PTI’s stance. Therefore, engaging in political discussions with Imran Khan is perceived as a challenge for the federal government. International image of Pakistan has been affected by PTI’s protests whereas the opposition party continues to give anti-state statements. Hence, political negotiations with Imran Khan cannot be conducted by the federal government.

The leaders of the PTI who had left it, contact with the federal government or any party which is part of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) then PDM leadership will decide in this regard. Those who attacked army installations, cases would be run against them in the army court and that action against them would be taken in the light of law.

It is worth mentioning here that during an address to supporters on Wednesday last, Imran Khan announced, “I would constitute a committee for negotiations with anyone in power. Despite sincere efforts, we are unable to understand how Pakistan will benefit if elections are held in October. Even I am ready to get minus [removed] from politics if they convince my team that it will benefit the country.”