PTI's 'doors are open' to Fazl's offer to play a role in breaking deadlock with govt: Junaid Akbar

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PTI) MNA Junaid Akbar stated on Thursday that the party’s “doors are open” to Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s proposal to contribute to resolving the ongoing deadlock between the government and opposition. PTI and opposition leaders had convened for two rounds of discussions over the weekend, with talks aimed at preparing for the PTI’s scheduled march to Islamabad to demand the release of Imran Khan.

However, the negotiations reached an impasse, primarily due to disagreements over counterterrorism policies and access to Imran Khan. During a discussion on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath,’ Akbar revealed that Fazl had approached the PTI leadership and expressed his willingness to participate in any negotiated solution, provided it was agreed upon by the party.

He emphasized that their approach should remain through dialogue and not through coercive means. Akbar reiterated that the PTI has always been receptive to dialogue but lamented that they were not given sufficient room to engage. The MNA cautioned against being forced into negotiations, stating that they would only consider discussions conducted on their own terms.

Separately, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif hinted at efforts to reignite the dialogue process, urging a positive outcome while expressing limited optimism. Asif also noted that Fazl’s involvement, whether directly or indirectly, was being considered. Meanwhile, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah echoed Akbar’s sentiments, reaffirming that the doors for talks remained open, recalling Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s call for PTI leadership to engage in dialogue.

However, he cautioned against the PTI using the state’s resources as leverage and warned of potential political instability. Earlier, a government delegation met with Fazl to advise against hindering the PTI’s planned long march, stressing that protests were a democratic right. The JUI-F leader also urged the government to trust the PTI’s peaceful intentions.

Concurrently, the government delegation visited Fazl, leading to another round of talks that ultimately concluded without a breakthrough. The PTI proceeded with its planned long march to Islamabad.