ISLAMABAD (MNN); Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Wednesday urged the government to initiate unconditional talks with the opposition, stressing that dialogue between political parties should not be bound by preconditions or restricted agendas.
Talking to the media, Gohar said it was incorrect to suggest that negotiations could only take place on selected issues while excluding others. He maintained that meaningful dialogue required openness to discuss all matters without limitations.
However, he clarified that he did not hold the mandate to negotiate with the government. He said that this responsibility had been entrusted to Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, who were recently appointed as opposition leaders in the National Assembly and Senate, respectively.
Referring to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s statement, Gohar said PTI founder Imran Khan had authorised Achakzai and Abbas to take decisions regarding talks with the government as well as protest strategies. He added that he would offer his input if sought.
The PTI chairman said the government must engage sincerely with the opposition, warning that a policy of pressure and selective engagement would not succeed. He said dialogue could not work if force was applied with one hand while reconciliation was offered with the other.
Gohar also highlighted that PTI founder Imran Khan was facing multiple legal cases and demanded that his lawyers be allowed to meet him. He said a PTI delegation had raised this issue during a meeting with National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.
Last month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had reiterated his willingness to hold talks with the opposition but said dialogue would be limited to legitimate issues. PTI leader Barrister Ali Zafar later stated that negotiations could not proceed unless meetings with Imran Khan were permitted.
Earlier this week, opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai, in his first speech in the National Assembly, extended an olive branch to the government and offered unconditional support for strengthening Parliament.
PTI rejects Elections Act amendment
Separately, PTI strongly rejected the passage of the Elections (Amendment) Bill 2026 by the National Assembly, calling it a direct attack on transparency, accountability and the public’s right to information.
In a statement, the party said the amendment would allow lawmakers to conceal details of their assets under the vague pretext of security concerns, providing legal protection to the ruling elite. PTI said such legislation weakened democracy and eroded public trust.
The party accused political forces claiming to support democracy and accountability of enacting laws to hide wealth amassed through corruption and misuse of power. It said the public was already aware of the sources of such wealth and no law could conceal the truth.
PTI argued that if lawmakers faced genuine security threats, the solution lay in ensuring their protection rather than concealing asset details. It warned that secrecy would encourage corruption and shield the political elite.
Calling the amendment contrary to global standards of transparent governance, PTI demanded its immediate withdrawal, reiterating that transparency was the foundation of democracy and the public had the right to know the sources of their representatives’ wealth.
