ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's coalition administration on Saturday expressed willingness to hold political negotiations with former prime minister Imran Khan, though it criticized him for imposing preconditions while pointing out that talks and threats did not go hand in hand.
Khan asked the country's coalition administration a day earlier to sit and talk to his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and announce a date for early elections or face the dissolution of assemblies in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
The former prime minister, who has been seeking snap polls in the country since his ouster from power in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April, announced his decision at a recent rally to dissolve the two provincial legislatures to intensify pressure on the government to hold early elections.
"They should sit with us for unconditional negotiations," Pakistan's railway minister Khawaja Saad Rafique was quoted as saying by Geo News.
He noted it was PTI that needed to initiate political parleys at this stage, not the government.
"Negotiations are part of political process and complex problems are resolved when two sides hear each other out," he said, adding: "If Imran Khan is serious then he should understand that threats and negotiations are mutually exclusive."
Rafique maintained that his party wanted the "assemblies to complete their constitutional term."
He noted that even Khan was driven out of power "in a constitutional and democratic way."
Later, Khan reiterated while speaking to members of his parliamentary party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa he was willing to talk to the government if was prepared to announce the date for early elections.
He added the PTI would dissolve the provincial assemblies in the ongoing month.
Government expresses willingness to hold 'unconditional negotiations' with Pakistan's ousted PM
https://arab.news/pfh59
Government expresses willingness to hold 'unconditional negotiations' with Pakistan's ousted PM
- Khan told the government to announce the date for early elections or face dissolution of two provincial assemblies
- A senior government minister tells the former prime minister that threats and negotiations could not go hand in hand
Pakistan PM calls for faster CPEC implementation, pledges security for Chinese workers
- Shehbaz Sharif pushes expanded cooperation in agriculture, IT and mining under CPEC phase two
- Chinese envoy reaffirms Beijing’s support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and economic development
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for speeding up projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and pledged stronger security guarantees for Chinese workers and investments, during a meeting with China’s ambassador in Islamabad.
Sharif made the remarks as the two countries strive to launch the second phase of CPEC, a multibillion-dollar infrastructure and energy initiative launched in 2015 as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
CPEC’s first phase focused largely on power generation and transport infrastructure aimed at easing Pakistan’s chronic energy shortages and improving connectivity. The second phase seeks to expand cooperation into industrial development, with an emphasis on special economic zones and export-oriented growth.
“While highlighting the importance of accelerating ongoing CPEC projects, the Prime Minister stressed on the need to enhance cooperation in agriculture and IT and mining & minerals,” said a statement circulated by the PM Office after the meeting.
“He also underscored Pakistan’s resolve to provide a secure and conducive environment for Chinese personnel, investments, and institutions in Pakistan,” it added.
Chinese nationals and projects in Pakistan have faced security threats in the past, including attacks by militant groups targeting infrastructure sites and convoys. Islamabad has repeatedly vowed to tighten security and has deployed special protection units for Chinese workers.
China is Pakistan’s closest ally in the region and a key economic partner, with CPEC widely regarded by Islamabad as central to long-term economic growth.
During the meeting, the prime minister conveyed greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, particularly on the occasion of the Chinese New Year.
China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, reiterated Beijing’s support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and socioeconomic development, according to the statement. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues and agreed to maintain close coordination.
