Omar Ayub links talks with the release of Imran, other party leaders PM Shehbaz claims PML-N leaders were politically victimized during PTI government Fazl opposes military operation, warns of imminent militant takeover in some KP areas NA approves 121 budget demands for various ministries, divisions
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s latest offer for dialogue with the opposition PTI was met with a firm rejection on Wednesday. The PTI conditioned any talks on the release of their founding chairman, Imran Khan, along with other party leaders and activists.
“If any hardships are being faced by your [PTI’s] founder in jail, then [let’s] talk about them,” PM Shehbaz said in the National Assembly, addressing PTI members who had been highlighting alleged political victimization and mistreatment of Mr. Khan at Adiala Jail during their speeches on budget-related cut motions.
Another notable moment was JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s speech, in which he vehemently opposed the planned anti-terrorism operation, Azm-i-Istehkam. He warned that some areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could fall under the control of the “Islamic emirate,” referring to the Taliban’s government in Afghanistan, within the next two to four months.
Talks Offer
Taking the floor after PTI’s Ali Muhammad Khan spoke about alleged state high-handedness against PTI members and the Constitution’s implementation in a lawless country, the prime minister recounted his and other PML-N members’ experiences of alleged political victimization during PTI’s tenure. He recalled being taken to court on the day his mother died, and being transported in an ordinary prison van despite being a cancer survivor with a backbone ailment.
PM Shehbaz also spoke about how leaders like Rana Sanaullah and Khawaja Asif were allegedly forced to sleep on the jail floor, but emphasized they did not wish for their opponents to face similar hardships. “Once again I say today, come, let’s sit and talk, and we can sort out the problems,” he added.
“In 76 years (since the country’s independence), we’ve reached a point where we are even hesitating to shake hands with one another,” the premier said, having gone to the opposition benches to shake hands with Maulana Fazl and other PTI members, including Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan and Asad Qaiser.
PM Shehbaz regretted that his repeated offers for a Charter of Economy had not been positively received. Instead, he was hooted down in the assembly when he made this offer as the opposition leader after the 2018 elections. He renewed the offer, emphasizing that justice must always be delivered, regardless of the individual’s status.
Opposition Leader Omar Ayub responded with stringent preconditions, stating that talks would only happen if Imran Khan and other members were released from jail. He accused the government of subjecting Imran Khan to harsh conditions and torturing party members. “Imran Khan has been kept in a death cell and an oven,” he said.
Ayub refuted PM Shehbaz’s claims about their own hardships, asserting that Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif had enjoyed air-conditioned cells and daily visitor privileges in jail. He emphasized that reconciliation was possible only if the government acknowledged its “wrongdoings.”
Fazl’s Warning
Earlier in the day, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who took the floor by threatening a walkout, warned that there could be an “Islamic emirate” government in areas of KP within months. He claimed that police stations in these areas closed at sunset due to the state’s lack of control, and that 40,000 to 50,000 militants had already arrived despite the Pak-Afghan border fencing.
Maulana Fazl also highlighted ongoing protests in Chaman and other areas along the Afghan border, criticizing the government for movement restrictions that affected family life and businesses. He lamented the lack of financial support for internally displaced persons from previous military operations in the erstwhile FATA areas.
The JUI-F chief criticized PM Shehbaz’s recent visit to China, calling it “diplomatically unsuccessful,” and attacked the government for imposing heavy taxes on the people. “If the rulers can’t ensure rights to the people, they have no right to impose taxes,” he said.
Several opposition lawmakers protested over the censoring of their speeches during live telecasts, with JUI-F’s Aliya Kamran complaining about a muted speech by Maulana Fazl. The speaker, however, did not address the issue.
Cut Motions
Meanwhile, the National Assembly approved over Rs8.78 trillion for 121 demands for grants related to various ministries, divisions, and departments for the fiscal year 2024-25. The house also rejected 156 cut motions moved by the opposition.
The opposition challenged the speaker’s ruling on the approval of a demand for a grant, forcing a headcount. The speaker declared the demand approved with a 118-49 vote.
