Political Parties Engage in Indirect Talks Amidst Calls for Dialogue

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The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has initiated indirect discussions with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) through Mehmood Khan Achakzai. Sources have revealed that Rana Sanaullah, a prominent PML-N figure and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, has been tasked with communicating with Achakzai on behalf of the N-leadership.

While the PML-N is advocating for direct negotiations between the PTI and its coalition partners, it is believed that indirect talks would be ineffective. However, the PML-N has expressed willingness to engage in direct discussions with the PTI through Achakzai if the PTI leadership deems it inappropriate to engage with the PML-N, PPP, and MQM directly.

Insiders have disclosed that Achakzai has been instructed to consult the PTI’s top leadership to facilitate direct talks, with the possibility of holding the dialogue discreetly. Achakzai, who chairs the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and leads the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Aeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), has been authorized by Imran Khan and the PTI to negotiate with the government with the aim of achieving political stability, reclaiming the party’s purportedly stolen mandate, and securing the release of incarcerated party members.

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Earlier, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and other PTI leaders had convinced Imran Khan to pursue dialogue with the government, leading to his approval for the initiative. However, it has been made clear that the PTI will not engage in direct talks with the PML-N, PPP, and MQM, instead authorizing Achakzai to negotiate with these parties on its behalf.

Following the mandate given to Achakzai, Imran Khan has expressed his intention to hold discussions with the military establishment, despite the latter’s lack of interest in engaging with the PTI. The Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) had previously specified the condition of a public apology over the May 9 attacks as a prerequisite for dialogue, emphasizing that talks should be conducted between political parties.

Contrary to Imran Khan’s stance, Mehmood Khan Achakzai advocates for dialogue among political parties and is against engaging in political discussions with the military establishment.