Sanaullah predicts failure of PTI’s civil disobedience call, rules out conditional talks
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, has dismissed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) call for a civil disobedience movement, predicting that it is “bound to fall flat.” While reiterating the government’s openness to political dialogue, Sanaullah ruled out any negotiations based on the “non-negotiable” demands set by the PTI.
“We haven’t shut the door on negotiations, but talks cannot proceed under conditions,” Sanaullah said. He urged the PTI to resolve its grievances through legal avenues, such as approaching courts for the bail of its detained members.
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The remarks come after PTI founder Imran Khan, currently imprisoned, announced a five-member dialogue committee and warned of a civil disobedience movement if demands for a judicial inquiry into the May 9 riots, the November 26 crackdown on protesters, and the release of “political prisoners” were not met.
Sanaullah criticized the PTI’s demands, terming them unrealistic and suggesting that the party should join ongoing probes into the protests, which involved clashes between law enforcement and PTI workers. He added that the Islamabad protest, meant to secure Khan’s release, ended in a “political fiasco” and caused “irreparable damage” to the party.
In a separate development, Sanaullah addressed growing pressure from the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) to pass the Societies Registration (Amendment) Act, 2024, which includes provisions for madrassa registration. JUI-F Secretary-General Abdul Ghafoor Haideri warned of a potential march on Islamabad if the legislation did not receive President Asif Ali Zardari’s approval.
Sanaullah confirmed the government’s commitment to enacting the bill, which is part of an agreement with the JUI-F tied to the 26th Constitutional Amendment. The Societies Act, passed by the National Assembly and Senate in October, has yet to be signed into law but remains a key aspect of the coalition government’s deal with the religio-political party.
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