Sukkur, December 27, 2025: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders on Saturday said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was sending mixed signals regarding negotiations with the government, stressing that democracy could only move forward through dialogue and not political deadlock.
The remarks were made by Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry while speaking to the media in Sukkur. The leaders were en route to Garhi Khuda Bakhsh to attend the 18th death anniversary of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
Their statements come days after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended an offer for talks with the opposition. On Friday, Rana Sanaullah said the prime minister would decide on formal talks with PTI once the party clarified its stance on negotiations.
While PTI has rejected talks with the government on the directions of its founder Imran Khan, the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP), of which PTI is a part, has expressed openness to dialogue, prompting criticism from the ruling party over what it calls contradictory positions.
“On one hand they say we should hold dialogue, and on the other hand Aleema Khan says anyone in favour of dialogue cannot be part of the party,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said.
Responding to questions about negotiations and speculation surrounding the PTI founder, Rana Sanaullah said political dialogue was essential for democratic progress. “As a political party, we believe democracy is advanced through dialogue, not deadlock. That is why both PML-N and PPP have always tried to ensure all political forces sit together and resolve issues through dialogue,” he said.
However, Sanaullah alleged that Imran Khan had consistently resisted political engagement. “This has been his attitude since 2011, then from 2018 to 2022, and now again in 2025. He does not believe in political dialogue,” he said.
Addressing restrictions on meetings with the PTI founder, Sanaullah said no one could be allowed to “plan chaos and anarchy” in the country, alleging that political messaging was being carried out through meetings, statements and social media posts. He said restrictions were imposed in accordance with the law and added that assurances given to courts about refraining from political messaging after meetings had not been honoured.
He also said Imran Khan’s trials were being conducted in jail rather than open court due to security concerns, adding that his protection remained a top priority for the government.
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq reiterated that the government remained open to talks. “The prime minister has repeatedly said that we are ready for dialogue. As speaker, I have also said that my office is available whenever they want to come and talk,” he said, adding that it was now up to PTI to make a decision.
Sadiq expressed hope that once PTI agreed to dialogue, “some way forward can be found,” and said the ruling coalition of PML-N and PPP intended to continue working together for the country’s betterment.
Responding to speculation about a possible 28th Constitutional Amendment, the NA speaker said he had no knowledge of such a plan. “There is no discussion or debate in the House about it,” he said.
Earlier this week, leaders attending a national conference organised by TTAP had agreed that the door to dialogue should never be closed in a democracy. Political leaders across party lines have also called for restraint and dialogue, warning that continued confrontation was contributing to instability and violence in the country.
