Dialogue, preconditions can’t go hand in hand, says PML-N
LAHORE (MNP) – The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Saturday expressed willingness to go into talks with Imran Khan-led PTI without any precondition to stem political turmoil in the country.
PML-N leaders Khawaja Saad Rafique and Rana Sanaullah announced it in a press conference after a party huddle chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss Mr Khan s offer for conditional talks on election date.
Mr Khan on Friday gave ultimatum to the government to either hold talks and give a date for fresh elections or the PTI would dissolve the provincial assemblies in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Sources quoted the participants in the PML-N meeting as having said that the talks could be held with PTI if Mr Khan was serious for it. Holding negotiations was a positive gesture, but there should not be any precondition, they said, adding that the government also sought an end to the political deadlock in the country.
Rafique, who is federal railways and aviation minister of the coalition government, said Mr Khan could go for an adventure of dissolving assemblies but the PML-N would not be a part of any unconstitutional act.
He said the PTI chief had offered “threatening talks”, adding that a few of coalition partners had reservations about holding negotiations with PTI. The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) would unanimously decide about talks with Imran Khan-led party, the railways minister said. He recalled the PTI had made mockery of PM Shehbaz’s offer for charter of economy to Mr Khan. He categorically stated general elections in the country would be held as per schedule.
Speaking on the occasion, Rana Sanaullah asserted that the PTI chief should sit and hold talks without any preconditions. He said threatening attitude would yield undesirable results.
