Sharif govt responsible for creating conducive environment for talks with PTI: Shah Mahmood Qureshi

Islamabad, Dec 8 (Representative) Former Pakistan Foreign Minister and Vice-Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), Shah Mahmood Qureshi, has termed it the current administration’s duty to create an environment conducive for holding talks between the two parties, currently embroiled in heated tensions .Addressing the media in an Anti-Terrorism Court in Lahore, the incarcerated PTI leader said a favourable response from the government can pave the way for dialogue with PTI. He once again forwarded the demand put by the party’s founder and ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan to conduct investigations into the May 9, 2023 riots, and punish those involved in violence, Dawn reported.In addition, he also asked for relief for himself and all other imprisoned PTI leaders such as Dr Yasmin Rashid, Senator Ijaz Chaudhry, Omar Sarfraz Cheema and Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed. “I have been in jail for the past one-and-a-half-years. I should be punished if found guilty. Otherwise, I have a right to get relief,” said Qureshi who is currently residing in Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail.

He also penned a separate handwritten statement, saying that the current leadership was incapable of dealing with the challenges being faced by Pakistan. “Pakistan today is fragile and needs careful handling,” said the PTI Vice-Chairman.Stating that the federal coalition government had failed to provide the leadership that could pull the country out of the political and economic mess, he said “Our economic managers have failed to develop a home-grown solution to our economic challenges and keep following the agreements negotiated with the IMF, regardless of its impact on ordinary Pakistanis.” He added that there were rumours circulating about a possible ban on PTI and warned of serious repercussions, saying that any such move would be a “historic blunder”, referring to the popularity of Imran Khan among overseas Pakistanis, who are a strong economic force in the country. The PTI founder has a “massive following among overseas Pakistanis”. He said overseas Pakistanis protested in over 30 countries on November 24. “Our diaspora is our strength and we cannot afford to alienate them.”