ISLAMABAD: Amid calls from all sides to end the political confrontation that is causing instability in the country, the government on Tuesday made overtures towards the possibility of a return to the negotiating table.

However, the PTI has put the onus of leading any such engagement on leaders of the opposition alliance, with Salman Akram Raja saying that no one in the party has the power to initiate any talks.

Chairing a meeting of the federal cabinet earlier in the day, PM Shehbaz Sharif reiterated his offer for talks with the opposition, but also emphasised that dialogue between the two sides could only proceed on “legitimate matters”.

Referring to reports that the PTI and its “companions talking about dialogue”, he recalled that he had previously invited the opposition for talks on multiple occasions, including in the assembly.

PTI leader says decision to come to table rests with opposition alliance leaders, no one within the party can take such a step

“If they are ready for this, the government of Pakistan is definitely ready,” he said, adding that harmony among all political parties was necessary for the progress and prosperity of the country.

However, he continued, there should be no “blackmailing” under the guise of talks and dialogue could only move forward “in light of legitimate matters”.

The PM was ostensibly alluding to a recent national conference, hosted by the Tehreek-i-Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) alliance, where opposition leaders had agreed that the door to dialogue must never be closed in a democracy.

The same day, PML-N stalwarts had also urged reconciliation among political actors at the Khawaja Rafique Shaheed reference in Lahore.

In contrast, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja seemed more rigid in his stance. Speaking to reporters after party supporters were prevented to reaching Adiala jail on Tuesday, he called Imran Khan’s punishments in the Toshakhana II case “unlawful and wrong”.

Asked about the street movement, the secretary general said that Imran instructed the KP CM to lead it in the province.

“Sohail Afridi is ready and this will happen soon,” he replied, adding that when the time comes, there will be a similar movement in Punjab.

In response to a question about negotiations with the government, Raja said: “These are false reports; Imran has given nobody in the party the power to start talks with the government. “Only [TTAP chief Mahmood Khan] Achakzai and [Senator] Allama Nasir have the power to do this,” he added. “Achakzai sahib gave his statement during the conference. He said that he will not negotiate with people who break into and rob his house.”

Although Mr Achakzai and MWM’s Raja Nasir Abbas have been picked by Imran Khan to be the leaders of the opposition in the National Assembly and the Senate, respectively, the ruling party seems to be in no hurry to formalise their appointment.

Syed Irfan Raza also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2025