Islamabad: The ruling PML-N has contacted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and offered to hold talks over its demands, the opposition party has said.
The government wants to persuade PTI to call off its planned Azadi protest march, party chief Imran Khan said, adding “Shahbaz Sharif has contacted us to say that he is ready to accept our demands. If fire is opened on PTI workers [by the army], we will register a case against the Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif.”
He further said: “Chaudhry Nisar is not a lackey and PTI doors are always open to him.”
A private TV channel said Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had contacted Imran Khan.
Talking to a private TV channel, PTI spokesman Naeem ul Haq confirmed the reports about the contact saying one PTI leader had met the finance minister in Saudi Arabia and during the meeting Ishaq Dar had made the offer of talks with Imran Khan.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif reportedly also visited a PTI leader to inquire about his health and told the latter he wanted negotiations with Imran Khan.
The PTI spokesman said that no direct contact had taken place so far with PML-N leadership. If the latter contacts the party leadership, then they would present their demands before them. But no direct contact has been made by PML-N leadership so far.
Talking to a private TV channel on his way from Kohat to Bannu, Imran Khan said “We will challenge implementation of article 245 in Supreme Court. We will sacrifice our blood if we have to do so and will sit in Islamabad until the acceptance of our demands.”
He said the army “should not side with government and should stay neutral. If any bullet is fired on a single worker of PTI by army or police then we will register the case of murder against Nawaz Sharif.”
Imran stated that he could get Tahir ul Qadri’s support as he had no differences with him in terms of his demands.
“However we don’t agree with him on his agenda for revolution”, he declared.
Meanwhile Information Minister Senator Pervaiz Rashid has said that the Article 245 has been invoked against the backdrop of the terror threat in the country.
In an interview, he said the instrument had nothing to do with political activities in the country.
The minister said army will be deployed at important buildings and defence installations. Article 245 is meant to provide legal cover to it. He said the government has taken this step against any militant activities in the federal Capital.
Senator Pervaiz Rashid urged Imran Khan to attend the upcoming session of the National Assembly and give his proposals for improvements in the electoral system.
He said Imran Khan is trying to hide his party’s failures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as PTI has failed to bring any positive change there.