Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has denied any ongoing talks with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) amid the party's ongoing protest march towards Islamabad. However, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said an attempt was made at negotiations, but it failed.
Speaking to the media at D-Chowk in Islamabad, Mohsin Naqvi clarified that he did not hold any meetings at the Ministers Enclave, as opposed to earlier speculation regarding the same. He emphasised, "I have had no meetings in the Ministers Enclave, and no negotiations are taking place."
He added, "Their aim is something else, and our aim is different."
Naqvi reiterated the government’s focus on public safety, stressing: "We are protecting our people. Our effort is to save lives."
Referring to an alleged meeting between PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and PTI Founder Imran Khan in Adiala Jail, he suggested they were the party's internal matters. "Barrister Gohar held meetings in the jail. The PTI has its own internal issues. We are waiting for PTI's response," Naqvi remarked.
"Wait for some time, I will speak openly about everything," he asserted.
Naqvi further stated that those who announced the protests were responsible for the martyred and injured policemen. "They tried to embarrass us on the global level yesterday too," Naqvi said, warning that those intending to join the protests in Islamabad will be arrested.
"They expect that they will come [to Islamabad] and we will let them go ahead. We will be seen under a different strategy," Naqvi said, adding that the protesters wanted bloodshed but the authorities had to save people's lives.
Khawaja Asif confirms talks
Khawaja Asif remarked that the PTI believed reaching D-Chowk right now would be beneficial, but maintained that the party's negotiations with the government have been futile. "Negotiations have been attempted, but it has not yielded any results," he explained.
He warned that the government has no option but to use force. He added that Bushra Bibi could try to take advantage of the current situation.
However, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar denied the media reports of talks being held with the government and expressed surprise at the speculation. In an exclusive interview with Samaa TV, Barrister Gohar said that party leader Asad Qaiser is not even present in Islamabad and denied talks with the government.
Earlier today, the government initiated contact with the PTI leadership to negotiate an alternative location for their planned protest, according to sources. Sources revealed that negotiations between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and PTI leaders were held at the Ministers Enclave.
Officials reportedly proposed allowing PTI protesters to hold their protest at a location other than D-Chowk. The sources said the PTI could be offered Peshawar Morr or some other location on the outskirts for the protest, and the protesters woudl have to guarantee they would remain confined to the designated area.
The government reportedly urged PTI leaders to avoid entering Islamabad, citing a scheduled business conference with Belarusian investors taking place in the capital tomorrow.
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