Defence Minister Khawaja Asif sharply criticized Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday, accusing the party of attempting to secure a deal akin to the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) from the establishment. Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Asif condemned PTI’s reluctance to engage in negotiations with political parties and its preference for direct talks with the establishment.
Asif’s remarks followed PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan’s recent interview with Voice of America (VOA), where Hasan expressed hope that the ongoing deadlock between PTI and the military would soon be resolved. Hasan’s comments underscored PTI’s position that discussions should be held with those they perceive as holding real power, rather than with other political factions.
“[PTI spokesperson] Raoof Hasan is begging for an NRO from those who they believe wield real powers,” Asif stated. He reiterated that the government has no objections to PTI engaging in dialogue with the establishment, but emphasized that negotiations cannot occur until PTI addresses the violent incidents of May 9, when protests erupted following Imran Khan’s arrest.
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The Defence Minister questioned the role of Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai, who has been suggested by PTI as a potential mediator. He challenged PTI to clarify whether Achakzai would engage with the establishment on their behalf, or if they would be willing to negotiate with political parties instead.
Asif also highlighted that the political landscape has changed significantly since the days of the NRO, which was enacted in 2007 by then-President and Army Chief General Pervez Musharraf to grant amnesty to politicians and bureaucrats involved in corruption and other crimes.
In a related development, Asif denied media reports suggesting that PML-N President Nawaz Sharif had instructed his party to initiate talks with PTI. He clarified that recent party meetings focused solely on local body elections in Punjab and reducing electricity prices, not on negotiations with PTI.
