Saad Rafique denies statement on PM-Imran meeting

E-Paper | March 17, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister Saad Rafique has denied making any statement regarding a decision by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over meeting Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan.

Rafique said he did not have an account on the microblogging website Twitter from where the statement originated.

The tweet had stated that Nawaz had decided to meet Imran "for the sake of the country".

"It has been decided PM will meet Imran Khan for the sake of country, Despite of language which Khan Shb used against him," the tweet read.

PTI Long March

Pakistan

PM orders salaries for govt employees before Eid

Govt plans subsidised fuel scheme for bikes, rickshaws after price hike

Pakistani forces strike Afghan Taliban’s military installations in Kabul, Nangarhar: info minister

Truth

Aug 20, 2014 11:08am

That's the Hero....i would request the Honorable PM, to go to the darna and use the same stage to address IK TuQ and the audience. No harm all are Pakistanis...

Recommend 0

ahmed

Aug 20, 2014 11:09am

Game on

Recommend 0

Hassan Nasir

Aug 20, 2014 11:12am

This decision was likely to come one day or the another. Why in the name of Heavens was it delayed for so long? Why build up a hype and turmoil inside and outside Pakistan? Well, frustration apart, let's hope this decision finds a solution to the impasse!

Recommend 0

Danish

Aug 20, 2014 11:13am

Nawaz will never go to meet Imran.

Recommend 0

Rauf Kadri

Aug 20, 2014 11:16am

I hope he meets him without Saad Rafique.

Recommend 0

Rahela

Aug 20, 2014 11:16am

I hope Khan will meet the PM as he in the past did not believe in Governments or Parliaments . He never initiated talks neither in parliament nor other sources except he always wants to talk to the Taliban.

Recommend 0

Merchant

Aug 20, 2014 11:17am

But there is no room left for talks after so much delays by Mian Saheb and his equally stubborn brother CM Shahbaz. The entire Sharif family and political friends have to resign and go, never to come back. And please take Zardari & Son with you abroad to enjoy the wealth you both have looted from your motherland and deposited in Swiss and London banks. You are not welcomed in Pakistan anymore.

Recommend 0

Sam

Aug 20, 2014 11:17am

@Truth I agree with you. There noting wrong with being humble. He should go straight to IK's stage & asked him how we can resolve this.

Recommend 0

Ali Rathore

Aug 20, 2014 11:21am

PML N and Nawaz Shareef has no one else to blame for this situation then themselves. The stubbornness they showed in parliament of not checking rigging or making committee to investigate gives clear signals that they have no intention of scrutinizing the election process which may expose them as well. Not to mention taking Imran Khan easy and under estimating Tehreek -e-Insaaf.

Recommend 0

Khwaja

Aug 20, 2014 11:22am

I'm so disappointed in IK right now. I saw a golden opportunity to get major electoral reforms in the country. But that will not come as it seems .. Pakistan will have had no net benefit from this fiasco. Only egos will be broken or made here.

Recommend 0

Husain Jan

Aug 20, 2014 11:23am

@Danish Yes not likely ....but even if NS does go to meet IK it should not be considered as any Ahsaan.

Recommend 0

Iman

Aug 20, 2014 11:26am

Akhir Kursi to Bachana Hai Ba Ba otherwise Khan is going to get all his wealth back...he will try all his effort for money...because he has been doing all this dealing all his life....he tricked Mushi but hopefully not IK and TUQ ....so our request to Khan and TUQ...dont bow...now or never get him down.

Recommend 0

Naeem

Aug 20, 2014 11:28am

Saad Rafiq is living utopia, he still doesn't understand who has to decide and what. They only have one decision to take, which is still being delayed.

Recommend 0

Syed

Aug 20, 2014 11:29am

@Truth He does not have the nuts to face the nation and share the same stage.

Recommend 0

aleem latif

Aug 20, 2014 11:37am

It's a big mess out there. But should be good for the country in the longer run to eliminate corruption and rigging from the system. Someone had to take a bold stand on those issues and Imran took that stand at the cost of his own political career.

Recommend 0

Anwar

Aug 20, 2014 11:39am

No 1 should escalate the issue more than its actual size. Neither IK nor NS or TUQ or anyone else can solve nations 'ALL' problems they are not super heroes. They need to sort out prevailing issues only likewise Transparent elections next time and if their is any issue like rigging can be solved peacefully

Recommend 0

Haider Ali

Aug 20, 2014 11:41am

Did PM Nawaz forget what language he had used in past against Z.A. Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto in public

Recommend 0

ahmed

Aug 20, 2014 11:45am

Game off

Recommend 0

DR KHALID

Aug 20, 2014 11:48am

commendable! marvelous and super efforts.. have given a chance to people of PAKISTAN to make there own destiny. there were tweets from baby politician about IK and Nawaz, but before saying something, he should have realized what his party and Mr. ex president have done to this country. BB and Mr. Bhutto were great leaders and in my opinion, if they would have lead this country, we would have achieved our destiny. We dont need corrupt and dishonest people to lead us. Imran has given a path, its now or never. As a nation we should feel proud that now we have a leader who can take us to glory. PAKISTAN ZINDABAD... long live IK.

Recommend 0

Hassan Nasir

Aug 20, 2014 11:50am

Haha; ok, so some fake/parody account had stirred us all! :D

Recommend 0

Gulfy

Aug 20, 2014 12:07pm

@Merchant - who are you to make a comment like this on behalf of those who are not in support of this dharna? People of Pak - in the past and now - have elected NS just like they did IK.

Recommend 0

Raja

Aug 20, 2014 12:12pm

The twitter acount's About Info clearly states: Un-official Account operated by TeamPMLN, sharing News regarding Federal Minister for Pakistan Railways & progress in PR Media creates hype for no reason

Recommend 0

Merchant

Aug 20, 2014 12:18pm

Does anyone believe this serial liar Saad Rafique who was the biggest certified vote rigger in May 2013 elections.

Recommend 0

Pak Rat

Aug 20, 2014 01:30pm

Very true ,well researched.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

K&N’s SmartCooking Recipes: Mortadella Bread Omelette

A hearty bread omelette filled with mortadella, chicken, vegetables and melted mozzarella for a satisfying savoury bite.

Chery Master Pakistan expands nationwide 3S dealership network: 10 operational, 20 planned by 2027

The nationwide dealership network includes 8 dealerships across six major cities, with two additional dealerships launching in the coming month, expanding the network to 10 dealerships nationwide.

Cardiogen and the molecular language of cardiac renewal: A speculative exploration

This article explores Cardiogen’s molecular characteristics, theorised mechanisms of action and its possible relevance across multiple research domains.