PTI, PML-N cast doubts on talks success ahead of ‘final round’ on Tuesday

PTI, PML-N Cast Doubts on Success of Election Talks Ahead of Final Round

ISLAMABAD: Ahead of the final round of negotiations scheduled for May 2, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) have expressed doubts about the success of the ongoing talks aimed at resolving the election timing dispute.

Doubts Over the Outcome

  • Khawaja Asif, the Defence Minister and senior PML-N leader, raised concerns about the negotiations with PTI, questioning their purpose and effectiveness.
  • Speaking in Sialkot, Khawaja Asif remarked: “What will be the result of the negotiations? They [PTI] are only making arguments.”
  • He also raised doubts about the legitimacy of the negotiating process, referring to it as whether the Panchayat (council) was set up in a legitimate or illegitimate manner.
  • Regarding Imran Khan’s planned rallies in three cities, Khawaja Asif suggested that Khan should begin the rallies to bypass the negotiations and proceed with his political agenda.

PTI’s Concerns

  • Asad Umar, a senior leader of PTI, also cast doubt on the PDM-led government’s intentions regarding the negotiations.
  • Speaking from Karachi, Umar stated that PTI was engaging in talks with the government at the suggestion of the Supreme Court. He accused the ruling PDM of pushing the country toward danger for vested interests.
  • Umar emphasized that the country could not progress unless all political sides reached a unanimous accord to resolve national issues, and he called May 2 as the last chance for meaningful negotiations.
  • He reiterated that not holding elections within 90 days would be a violation of the Constitution, and the next set of elections would be held based on the new census.

Ongoing Deadlock and Supreme Court’s Role

  • The talks are focused on resolving the impasse over the timing of general elections across the country, a situation that has heightened political tensions.
  • The Supreme Court had earlier urged all political forces to engage in negotiations to find a solution to the political crisis, setting a deadline of April 26 for resolving the issue. However, no progress was made by the deadline.
  • During the April 25 hearing, the Supreme Court mentioned that it could not force political parties into negotiations and had emphasized the importance of consensus.

PTI’s Contingency Plan

  • Fawad Chaudhry, PTI Senior Vice-President, announced that PTI would begin rallies in Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar starting May 1 if the talks fail to produce any results.
  • In a tweet, Fawad stated that while PTI hoped for successful negotiations, it had developed a backup strategy in case the talks with the ruling coalition fail.
  • He also mentioned that Imran Khan would lead the rallies, urging supporters to prepare for a “major movement” if the negotiations falter.

This ongoing political standoff underscores the mounting tensions in Pakistan as the country grapples with the unresolved issue of election timing.

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