PTI’s Asad Qaiser denies meeting Speaker Ayaz Sadiq for talks

English , Pakistan - پاکستان , Snippets , / Friday, December 13th, 2024

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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser has said that any negotiations with the government will take place only if the government agrees and will be conducted under the guidance of the party’s founding chairman Imran Khan. “I went to the speaker’s office for a condolence visit, not for talks,” Qaiser told the National Assembly. Meanwhile, the National Assembly session began today under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker Syed Mir Ghulam Mustafa Shah. Asad Qaiser clarified that he visited the office of the Speaker of the National Assembly only for condolence prayers and not for negotiations, as reported by the media. He emphasised that talks would only occur when the government is willing, and in accordance with instructions from PTI’s founding chairman, Imran Khan. The National Assembly session, chaired by Deputy Speaker Syed Mir Ghulam Mustafa Shah, saw heated exchanges. Qaiser criticised the government for its lack of seriousness, stating that the government had failed to address the issues raised by the opposition. He asked the Deputy Speaker, “What agenda will you proceed with when the government members are absent?” In response, the Deputy Speaker said that the Speaker’s office had written to the Prime Minister regarding the disrespect shown to the House, adding, “We will not run the assembly in such a manner.” He adjourned the session for 10 minutes, warning that if no government minister showed up, the session would be cancelled. Qaiser also addressed the ongoing debate about dialogue, stressing that the discussions would only take place once the government was ready, and under Khan’s directives. He questioned the use of force on November 26 during protests, asserting that the constitution allows peaceful demonstrations. He also demanded the release of PTI leaders and supporters arrested during recent protests. “The law that bans protests in Islamabad violates the constitution,” Qaiser said. “We want a judicial commission led by senior Supreme Court judges to investigate the events of November 26 and May 9.” He further criticised the government for what he described as actions against PTI members, including the alleged forced resignation of party lawmakers and raids on their homes. Qaiser also raised concerns over the targeting of Pashtuns, claiming that the government’s actions were aimed at dividing the country. He accused authorities of imposing “martial law” in Punjab and disrupting trade with Afghanistan. Qaiser concluded by reiterating PTI’s demand for a judicial investigation into the incidents surrounding May 9 and November 26, and for the release of PTI’s detained leaders and supporters. Earlier on Sunday, the PTI senior leadership reaffirmed their commitment to resolving matters through legal and constitutional means as they announced the formation of a negotiations committee by the party’s founder to facilitate dialogue. Speaking at a joint press conference with senior PTI leaders, National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub stated that the committee included himself, Hamid Raza, Asad Qaiser, and Ali Amin Gandapur. He hadencouraged interested parties to approach the committee for constructive engagement. Ayub spoke to the media along with former speaker Asad Qaiser, Senate opposition leader Shibli Faraz and the party’s information secretary Sheikh Waqas. “If anyone wishes to hold talks, the PTI’s doors are open,” Ayub told the media persons. Ayub repeated the PTI’s stance that 12 people were killed in the government crackdown on the PTI protesters on November 26 in Islamabad. More than 200 protesters were still missing, he claimed. “Our workers are being intimidated and forced to declare their injuries as accidental,” he charged.