Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram criticized the government, saying its inflexibility caused the failure of negotiations, Express News reported.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Akram said: “The talks have stalled due to the government’s stubbornness. We are asked to submit our demands in writing, but we have never deviated from our position.”
He pointed out that PTI founder Imran Khan, despite what he described as government repression, has expanded opportunities for dialogue. “Our request is simple: grant us access to our president,” he said.
Akram said Khan was denied contact with his legal team and supporters for three and a half months. “Even lawyers are not allowed to meet him,” he added.
He accused the government of not taking the party’s demands seriously, despite its commitment to constructive engagement. Akram noted that Khan had insisted on the formation of a judicial commission during the third round of talks with the government.
“How can they respond to major demands when they can’t even arrange a single meeting with our committee and Khan? » he questioned.
Akram condemned Khan’s treatment in prison, calling it inhumane and inadequate. “He was placed in a dead cell intended for terrorists, with no access to television, no toilets or visiting rights,” he said, alleging that the facilities’ claims were false.
He also pointed out that the court had ordered the government to allow Khan to communicate with his children, a directive which was not followed.
Drawing comparisons, Akram criticized the preferential treatment given to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif during his imprisonment. “In Adiala jail, Nawaz was questioned about his lunch and dinner preferences,” he noted.
Mocking the government’s misgivings, he said: “Are you losing sleep worrying about what would happen if our president were released?” »