Pakistan’s political situation remains tense as talks between major parties have not moved forward. Amid this uncertainty, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah clarified the government’s position on political engagement. Speaking on Friday, he said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has not placed any “minus Imran” condition on talks with political forces.
Rana Sanaullah stated that the government does not believe in excluding any leader from the political process. He said such a move is neither practical nor helpful for democracy. According to him, past attempts to sideline political actors have not produced positive results. He made these remarks during a private television talk show.
A day earlier, the adviser had proposed confidence-building measures between the leadership of PML-N, PTI, and PPP. He said these steps could help reduce political tension in the country. He emphasized that dialogue is essential in a parliamentary system and should not be avoided.
Rana Sanaullah further explained that as Leader of the House, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited the opposition to engage in talks. He said discussions are necessary to address national challenges. He added that meaningful dialogue requires cooperation from all sides.
Referring to the opposition’s stance, a senior PTI leader said that dialogue is part of the prime minister’s responsibility. He stated that talks should involve representatives of the president, PML-N leadership, and the establishment. The opposition believes such engagement is important for progress.
When asked about his earlier comments, Rana Sanaullah said the prime minister may have taken key stakeholders into confidence. He mentioned names like Nawaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, and the establishment. He said this could have happened before the government formally reached out to the opposition.
The adviser also discussed recent initiatives by Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP). He noted that some second- and third-tier PTI leaders showed interest in dialogue. However, he said these efforts did not move forward.
According to Rana Sanaullah, progress is not possible without a clear shift in policy from PTI founder Imran Khan. He claimed that Imran Khan has not allowed anyone to take part in negotiations. He added that Imran Khan has conveyed a strict message to protesters. Anyone supporting talks, he said, is not seen as representing his position.
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These statements highlight the challenges facing political dialogue in Pakistan. While the government signals openness to talks, key disagreements continue to block progress.
