ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafiq has said that the government wants to initiate a dialogue process with Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek leader Dr Tahirul Qadri to settle the issues.

Talking to a TV channel, he said negotiations were the only way through which the two parties could remove their reservations.

He said Dr Qadri was an undemocratic person and his attitude towards the system was understandable, but Imran Khan was expected to play a role to strengthen the democratic system. However, the PTI leader was not playing that role, he added.

He said both the PTI and PAT leaders were levelling allegations against the government without any evidence.

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The minister said a judicial commission was probing the Model Town incident and stern action would be taken against those found responsible in the light of its report.

In reply to a question, he said the government and Pakistan Army were on the same page about the ongoing operation in North Waziristan Agency.

Published in Dawn, July 5th , 2014