Pakistan Reader# 450, 6 December 2022
On 5 December, Fawad Chaudhry accused the government of hindering the PTI’s efforts to seeking better ties with the armed forces and judiciary. He said, “We have serious concerns over this. We believe that despite our attempts to better the ties, someone, or maybe the federal government is trying to worsen the situation.” Further, he claimed that an informal connection was established with the coalition government on having early general elections. However, he stated that if the negotiation on the election does not formalise by 20 December, the PTI would dissolve the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab assemblies on 21 December.
However, Imran Khan in an interview said, “If they are ready for elections by the end of March, then we won't dissolve the assemblies. Otherwise, we want to conduct polls by dissolving the KP and Punjab assemblies.”
Government ready for talks with no preconditions
Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan claimed that the government was ready to hold talks with Imran Khan with no preconditions on that table. This statement came after Imran Khan hinted at delaying his dissolution plans.
Meanwhile, Maulana Fazlur Rehman rejected the possibility of negotiations over next elections. He said, “We [PDM] won’t speak to him [Imran] at any cost.” Further, he criticised Imran Khan for leaving Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bankrupt in their nine years long rule. (“Syed Irfan Raza, “PTI chairman’s politics weakens Pakistan: PM Shehbaz,” Dawn, 5 December 2022; “Imran undermining democracy, warns PM,” The Express Tribune, 4 December 2022; “Bilawal sees no urgency for general elections,” Dawn, 5 December 2022; “Mansoor Malik, “Imran says his offer for talks ‘misread’,” Dawn, 4 December 2022)