Summary Qureshi says talks cannot be fruitful as long as government doesn't clarify Army Chief's role
ISLAMABAD: (Dunya News) – Vice Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that talks cannot reach a logical conclusion as long as the government does not clarify the role of Army chief as a mediator, facilitator or guarantor in the current turmoil.
Speaking to media after holding talks with the government committee today (Friday), Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that the PTI team had gone into the negotiations with a positive mindset. “We gave recommendations on solution of problems on every seat but the government committee members did nothing other than smiling”, said Qureshi. He said, “We want to move forward”.
Vice Chairman PTI said that PTI team forwarded recommendations in order to end the deadlock but the government team did not give any clarification about Army Chief’s role as a mediator. He said that government had said last night that Army Chief will be a mediator but denied the same today. “The talks will not be successful until this issue is clarified”, concluded Qureshi.
Last night, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif had met PTI chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami tehreek (PAT) chief Dr. Tahirul Qadri at the General Head-Quarters (GHQ). It was reported that Army Chief had decided to facilitate the talks. Tahirul Qadri and Imran Khan had claimed that Army Chief had offered himself as a guarantor whereas Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said today in Parliament House that Army Chief’s role will be that of a facilitator.
