Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah once again invited Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf for dialogue on Wednesday. He made it clear that the government’s doors remain open for negotiations. His statement came while the PTI long march toward Islamabad entered its fourth day. The former ruling party says the protest aims to secure the release of its jailed founder Imran Khan and restore what it calls constitutional supremacy.
Earlier talks meant to stop the October 4 march ended without agreement on Saturday. Both sides blamed each other for the failure. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had accused the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister of trying to derail the process. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja claimed the federal government demanded that the provincial government take ownership of all anti-terrorism actions already started in the province.
Speaking at a press conference, Sanaullah stressed that no demands can be fulfilled by holding the state hostage. He said political differences can only be settled through negotiations. He urged PTI leaders to put personal interests aside and come forward to resolve issues. According to him, the party’s only goal is to create instability in the country. He recalled that political unrest has continued since 2014 and that attempts to surround Islamabad have remained a central part of PTI politics since its first march that year.
Sanaullah also alleged that the party is using Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government resources for the ongoing march. He claimed provincial funds and facilities have been poured into this effort for the past two years. Turning to security, he said intelligence-based operations will continue in the province. No new large-scale operation is planned and no internal displacement will occur. The federal government and the field marshal have already made this clear.
He pointed out that the provincial apex committee is headed by the chief minister, yet Sohail Afridi has held only one meeting in eleven months. Sanaullah insisted that the policy against terrorism must be implemented. He criticised the KP government for leaving five districts without police stations and 17,000 police posts vacant. The counter-terrorism department has 3,300 personnel but only 25 are permanent while the rest work on contract. He added that the police and CTD are not receiving proper budgets, a situation that cannot continue.
On Afghanistan, Sanaullah said the government has asked the Afghan authorities not to allow their soil to be used against Pakistan. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and China also tried to explain this point. The defence minister travelled to Istanbul twice for talks. Any terrorism plan made from Afghan territory against Pakistan will be eliminated. He concluded that the national policy on Afghanistan enjoys broad support except from PTI.
