LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is reportedly “divided” on whether to engage in talks with opposition parties in the National Assembly, sources said.
It has come to light that some PML-N leaders are displeased with recent statements made by federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal and Khawaja Asif. These leaders believe that setting conditions for talks could lead to further “complications.”
The consensus within the party is that discussions should proceed without preconditions, as per sources familiar with the PML-N’s internal discussions.
PML-N President Nawaz Sharif also supports the idea of unconditional talks with the opposition, according to these sources.
However, Ahsan Iqbal and Khawaja Asif’s stance has reportedly been backed by a prominent government figure.
Earlier, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal stated that the PML-N would not object if the PTI and the military decided to hold talks. In an interview with Voice of America, Ahsan Iqbal expressed his belief that the military no longer harbors intentions to interfere in politics.
He questioned what topics the PTI’s founder might discuss with the military, adding that the PTI’s current political strategy is directly harming the state’s interests.
The federal minister suggested that the PTI should apologize to the nation and institutions, which could potentially pave the way for new opportunities. He questioned where this style of politics would ultimately lead the PTI in Pakistan.
