PTI Rejects Talks Offer, Dismisses National Govt Proposal as Disrespect to Mandate

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has accused the government of deriding its offer for dialogue and has firmly rejected any proposals for a national or multi-party government.

Amid growing speculation about the formation of a national unity government next year, PTI has labelled such discussions as a “disrespect” to the will of the people and an affront to the party’s electoral mandate.

In a statement issued Thursday, PTI’s Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram made it clear that any solution short of the restoration of PTI’s mandate would be unacceptable.

He described the idea of a national government as a “blatant disregard” for democratic principles and a violation of the democratic process.

PTI’s Mandate ‘Stolen’ in Midnight Polls Heist

Mr. Akram reiterated the party’s position, claiming that PTI had won a “peaceful revolution” on February 8, securing a landslide victory that represented the true will of the people.

He accused the government of “robbing” the people’s mandate through what he described as a “midnight polls heist.”

For PTI, restoring this “stolen mandate” is essential for upholding democracy and maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.

“We achieved a peaceful revolution on February 8, only to have our mandate stolen through a rigged election,” Akram stated.

“This mandate is the genuine voice of the people, and its restoration is key to safeguarding our democracy.”

No Negotiations, No National Government

Addressing growing speculation about PTI’s involvement in talks with the government, Akram strongly denied any ongoing negotiations.

He asserted that despite PTI founder Imran Khan’s consistent calls for dialogue and peaceful resolution of issues, no formal discussions have taken place with the government.

He further emphasized that any proposal for a national government was incompatible with PTI’s vision, and accepting such a proposal would be a “disrespect of the public mandate.”

Akram also rejected accusations that the party’s willingness to negotiate was a sign of weakness.

He claimed the government had misinterpreted PTI’s outreach, deriding it as “begging” for talks. However, he stressed that PTI had not “begged” for dialogue, but rather sought a peaceful solution.

“Imran Khan opened the door for talks by setting up a five-member committee. However, we will never beg for negotiations,” Akram declared.

He pointed out that the government’s ongoing persecution of PTI workers and leaders had created an environment hostile to meaningful dialogue.

“It is the government’s responsibility to create the right conditions for negotiations,” Akram asserted. “Under the current circumstances, any attempts at dialogue would be futile.”

PTI Seeks Production Order for Jailed Lawmaker

Meanwhile, PTI has submitted a request to the Senate for the issuance of a production order for Ejaz Chaudhary, a PTI senator who has been incarcerated for over a year.

The request, made through a letter addressed to the Senate Chairman by PTI’s Dr. Babar Awan, states that Chaudhary has been unable to attend any Senate sessions during his detention.

PTI leaders, including Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, and Dr. Awan, confirmed the submission of the production order request during a press conference.

Omar Ayub also raised concerns about PTI workers imprisoned during the party’s protests, accusing the government of using NATO weapons in its crackdown on party activists.

According to Ayub, nearly 200 PTI workers are still missing, while over 5,000 remain under arrest.

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Delegation Meets PTI Leaders

In another development, a delegation from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) met PTI leaders on Thursday to discuss the aftermath of PTI’s protest in Islamabad last month.

The delegation, which included prominent HRCP members Munizae Jahangir, Nasir Zaidi, and Sadia Ghaffari, met with PTI leaders including Omar Ayub, Asad Qaiser, and Sardar Latif Khosa.

Ayub claimed that security forces had used “straight bullets” against PTI protesters, describing the action as a violation of human rights.

Asad Qaiser added that many PTI workers arrested in the aftermath of the protest were now being implicated in the controversial May 9 cases.

In response, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan called for the establishment of an inquiry commission to investigate the events surrounding the protests and bring the truth to light.

Adil Khan Bazai, a PTI lawmaker whose disqualification by the Election Commission was recently overturned by the Supreme Court, also spoke out, alleging that he was deprived of his seat and his property in Quetta was demolished as retaliation for opposing the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

The HRCP delegation took note of these issues and expressed concern over the ongoing human rights violations faced by PTI leaders and workers