ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) on Friday announced the cancellation of talks with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) led government.

The decision comes against the backdrop of the arrest of Majlis-i-Wahadatul Muslimeen (MWM) activist Asad Ali Shah.

“No talks will be held with the government till the release of Asad Ali Shah” the PAT spokesperson said adding, “Shah also belonged to our designated committee for talks.”

The PAT designated committee for talks comprises a combination of different religious and political parties.

MWM’s Central Political Secretary Nasir Shirazi had earlier said that his party was dissociating from the government-PAT dialogue following the arrest of nine party activists.

The government should release all MWM activists arrested on Friday, Sherazi said, adding that no one from his party would go to any future rounds of talks between PAT and the government.

Also read: Govt, PAT teams postpone talks till Friday

Earlier on Friday, MWM spokesman Hasnain Zaidi had said that police and Rangers had arrested at least nine MWM activists, including the party’s political secretary Asad Abbas.

MWM has been strongly opposing the PML-N government over alleged corruption and has claimed that Nawaz Sharif had grabbed powers through massive rigging.

The organisation had announced full support for PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri when the latter began his protests against the government.