PM Shehbaz extends olive branch to Imran Khan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday has extended an olive branch to his political rival Imran Khan and asked him to sit down and resolve the political issues mutually.
The premier, while speaking in the National Assembly, hoped to end the political divisions and promote a spirit of cooperation.
Call for Dialogue amid Political Tensions:
Prime Minister Sharif highlighted the need for open talks and reconciliation between political parties while addressing the assembly.
“If their [PTI] founder is facing troubles [in jail], then I reiterate: come, let’s sit down and talk,” said the premier.
Historical Context of Rivalry:
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have been at odds for years, particularly after the disputed February 8 elections, which PTI claims it won.
Also read: They will not release Imran Khan, says Sheikh Rashid
Reflecting on the 2018 elections, Sharif noted, “We joined the parliament despite the [rigged] polls. The sort of slogans that were raised during my first speech will always be remembered as a dark chapter in the history books.”
Appeal for Justice and Fairness:
The prime minister stressed the importance of justice for all without any political affiliation.
“If someone is facing any injustice, then I believe that the scales of justice should be in favour of those [being victimised], there is no difference over it — whether it be any politician or anyone from any walk of life.”
Sharif also recalled his previous attempts to engage in dialogue with Imran Khan while in opposition but couldn’t succeed due to bitterness and lack of basic courtesies between politicians.
“We don’t even shake hands now,” he expressed.
Opposition’s Conditions for Talks:
As PM Shehbaz extends olive branch to Imran Khan, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub responded that the PTI would consider dialogue only after the release of its founder and other detained leaders and workers.
“This should be in your minds: you torture our workers, you’ve kept our lady workers in prison vans at 45°C. My prime minister Imran Khan was kept in a death cell, there’s an oven-like environment over there,” he said, amid sloganeering from the treasury benches.
If the founder of PTI has some problems in jail, sit to talk on this matter: PM Shehbaz Sharif pic.twitter.com/W7m60PSSlo
— Khaleej Mag (@KhaleejMag) June 26, 2024
Ayub said that parliamentary proceedings could only continue if government members respected their opposition friends.
“Reconciliation will take place when you realize the abuse of Yasmin Rashid, Mehmood ur Rasheed, and Hasan Niazi,” he maintained.
Ayub said that PTI leaders faced worse conditions to those faced by former premier Nawaz Sharif, who had air conditioning in his jail cell.
