DAWN.COM

Today's Paper | December 25, 2024

Updated 21 Aug, 2014 12:11pm

PTI back-pedals, says 'no' to negotiations

ISLAMABAD: We have decided not to immediately enter negotiations with the government, senior Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi said.

The party decided that the foremost fundamental condition to enter talks was that Nawaz Sharif steps down, adding that no dialogue can be initiated before the resignation.

Earlier, Qureshi had said that the PTI was willing to sit at the negotiating table with the government.

He had said that the party had agreed to hold talks with the government over its grievances in relation to alleged rigging in the 2013 general elections.

Speaking to DawnNews via telephone, Qureshi had said: "We discussed amongst ourselves that if it comes to talks what our position will be... The aim is to come out of this deadlock.”

“We wish the government had taken our demands seriously before,” the PTI leader had said.

"Our strategy is clear, we want to strengthen democracy and not derail it as opposed to the impression that is being given."

He had added that the PTI had a six point agenda which will be put forth on the negotiating table but refused to discuss it in the media.


PTI’s six demands


PTI’s media advisor Faisal Vawda told Dawn that the PTI’s six demands to the government include:

1) Resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif

2) Electoral reforms

3) Disbanding and reconstitution of the Election Commission of Pakistan

4) Recounting votes on certain constituencies

5) Action against those involved in rigging in the 2013 general elections

6) Resignation of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif

Read Comments

Scientists observe ‘negative time’ in quantum experiments Next Story