ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of attempting to destabilise the country under the guise of protests while seeking dialogue with the establishment rather than engaging with political parties.
His remarks came a day after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur urged state institutions to hold talks with PTI, while demanding that they also hold themselves accountable. Gandapur, along with senior PTI leaders, was in Lahore to formally launch a movement for the release of party founder Imran Khan and devise a nationwide protest strategy culminating on August 5 – the second anniversary of Khan’s imprisonment.
Imran Khan, currently jailed in multiple cases he claims are politically motivated, has seen his party’s ties with both the government and establishment deteriorate sharply. PTI protests over the past year have often descended into violence after clashes with law enforcement.
Speaking to the media, Rana Sanaullah said Gandapur’s statements made PTI’s agenda clear. “Right after the Marka-i-Haq [recent Pakistan-India escalation] and the government’s successful economic revival efforts that created an opportunity for stability, PTI is trying to destabilise the country,” he said. “Apart from this, what other agenda they have remains unclear.”
Commenting on PTI’s planned 90-day protest and the August 5 march, Sanaullah said: “If they remain peaceful, it is their democratic right. But if they attempt to take the law into their own hands or destabilise the country, then legal action will follow.”
He added that creating instability had been PTI’s strategy from the start, recalling their demonstrations outside IMF offices opposing the emergency loan granted to Pakistan.
On whether the government might soften its stance to negotiate Imran Khan’s release, Sanaullah dismissed the notion, clarifying that the matter was sub judice. “This is not about generosity. The case is progressing under court rules. In fact, PTI themselves insisted during past negotiations that Imran’s release should not be part of the discussion, as he wishes to be acquitted on merit,” he said.
Sanaullah emphasised that the government was open to dialogue with PTI on other national matters, but the party appeared uninterested in political negotiations. “They don’t want to sit down with political parties or politicians. Their only focus is to seek the establishment’s support to regain power. They are not ready for political dialogue.”
When asked about the government’s counter-demands for any future negotiations, he replied: “We have only one wish, one struggle: the revival and success of Pakistan’s economy so that every citizen’s wellbeing is ensured and Pakistan emerges as a welfare state on the world map.”
He further said that the government was willing to sit with PTI and other parties to achieve stability for economic revival. “It is in everyone’s interest – opposition and government – to agree on a ‘charter of economy’ for basic national matters. We are ready for any understanding in this regard,” he stated.
Sanaullah questioned PTI’s dual strategy of protests and negotiations. “If they genuinely want talks, then why announce 90-day protests, an August 5 march, and other confrontational plans?” he asked. Nonetheless, he clarified that the government would grant PTI legal permission to protest if they remained peaceful. “But if they resort to violence, the law will take its course,” he warned
