ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has set a condition for engaging in talks with the PML-N government following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s call for dialogue with political rival Imran Khan on Wednesday.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan stated that the government must release all political prisoners, including PTI founder Imran Khan, before any negotiations can take place. Ayub argued that the government’s offer for talks is not sincere and emphasized that meaningful dialogue can only happen if all detained political leaders and workers are freed.

Earlier, PM Shehbaz Sharif invited the opposition to join in a dialogue to discuss the country’s future. “Let us sit together to take the country ahead. Let us talk for the betterment of the country. There is no other way forward,” he said, addressing the National Assembly.

He recalled his previous attempts to encourage political parties to reach a consensus on a Charter of Economy, which were dismissed for political point-scoring. The prime minister also recounted his own experience of victimization, including being in jail when his mother passed away and being taken to court in an ordinary prison van despite his health issues. He stated that other PML-N leaders also faced humiliating treatment as under-trial prisoners, but despite this, he would never wish similar treatment on his political adversaries.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan had also advised PTI founder Imran Khan to initiate dialogue with politicians, as Khan spoke in court regarding accountability laws. However, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar stated that while Imran Khan is willing to engage in negotiations, he refuses to hold talks with politicians he labels as ‘mandate thieves.’

Barrister Gohar alleged that the government has filed over 200 fake cases against the PTI chairman, who has been in jail for the past 11 months without any conviction.