Govt wants talks with PTI, PAT: Saad

E-Paper | June 13, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafiq has said that the government wants to initiate a dialogue process with Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek leader Dr Tahirul Qadri to settle the issues.

Talking to a TV channel, he said negotiations were the only way through which the two parties could remove their reservations.

He said Dr Qadri was an undemocratic person and his attitude towards the system was understandable, but Imran Khan was expected to play a role to strengthen the democratic system. However, the PTI leader was not playing that role, he added.

He said both the PTI and PAT leaders were levelling allegations against the government without any evidence.

Know more:ECP to investigate Imran’s allegation of rigging

The minister said a judicial commission was probing the Model Town incident and stern action would be taken against those found responsible in the light of its report.

In reply to a question, he said the government and Pakistan Army were on the same page about the ongoing operation in North Waziristan Agency.

Published in Dawn, July 5th , 2014

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Syed

Jul 05, 2014 06:52am

Simple solution: Do the thumb verifications of the 4 constituencies.

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Salman

Jul 05, 2014 07:24am

Sorry....no one believes what you say....why should they?

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Rakaposhi

Jul 05, 2014 07:24am

Finally a sensible step, I am really glad to hear this and I hope its in good spirit. Government essentially ignoring the issue, not appointing permanent CEC for one year and instead ridiculing PTI doesn't not help anyone. I really hope both parties sit on the table and resolve this issue.

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malik

Jul 05, 2014 08:17am

PMLN wants to struck a deal and its leadership completely misreading the PTI mood. The Only solution in which PMLN will save a lot of credibility is to accept the poll rigging allegations and open investigations on RO's. Well in the end the RO's will point finger back to PMNL leadership.

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malik

Jul 05, 2014 08:22am

A railway minister giving a statement which should came out from PMLN party office. Saad Rafique is not talented enough to understand conflict of interest thingy

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event horizon

Jul 05, 2014 08:45am

What happened to your hawkish attitude? Is your ultra rich leader in true deep waters? Don't cry.

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Wellwisher

Jul 05, 2014 08:49am

This MAO college low level thug has become a minister. He has no vision whatsoever just like his masters NS and company. Well, "you get what you deserve".there are many mindless and without Vision leaders in the cabinet. Is that all what we have to offer.no wonder we are where we are. Maybe we deserve what we have....

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Lucky Star

Jul 05, 2014 09:17am

@Syed Really! PTI was defeated squarely in all these four constituencies. PTI candidate for Abbotabad PA seat vacated by Sardar Mehtab , KP governor, was defeated by 5000 votes in by election.

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Lucky Star

Jul 05, 2014 09:20am

Governmentt should not talk to either of PTI and PAT, because both parties collect Zakat overseas in the name of poor and use that money to play dirty politics.

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Israr Khan Ismailzai

Jul 05, 2014 09:42am

Would this be called a "U turn"??

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Lucky Star

Jul 05, 2014 09:56am

@Salman I believe what he says. Only blind followers of PAT do not understand.

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Aftab

Jul 05, 2014 10:10am

Is not the whole situation in Pakistan evidence enough!

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Israr Khan Ismailzai

Jul 05, 2014 10:49am

@Lucky Star Well, if that is the case, than what is N League afraid of??? Do the thumb verification and let it settled once and for all.

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Lucky Star

Jul 05, 2014 11:10am

@Israr Khan Ismailzai Now wait for another four years if you want to serve people because you can serve people without being in the government, but no, PTI and PAT both busy in day dreaming to create chaos and bring down duly elected government by hook or by crook. People simply do not want Canadian Mullah or Niazi from Mianwali.

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Aurang

Jul 05, 2014 11:28am

You needed a threat of a million march to start talking!! what a shame.

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Mustafa

Jul 05, 2014 11:43am

"PAT leaders were levelling allegations against the government without any evidence." There is damn solid evidence of 14 murders. Her shahk pe Gullu baitha hai, anjam-e-Pakistan kya hoga?

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Dr. Khalid

Jul 05, 2014 12:00pm

Khawaja, why don't you take the lead and order the finger prints verification of the 4 constituencies they are asking for? No rocket science involved!

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Aurang

Jul 05, 2014 12:05pm

@Lucky Star Are you saying fraud should not be questioned.

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Israr Khan Ismailzai

Jul 05, 2014 12:12pm

@Lucky Star Another four years, yeah, what do you think Pakistan is?? An experiment field for these incompetent govts?? We have already tried 5 years of "democracy", I don't think this country can afford another "democratic govt". And about "elected govt", I think the cat is already out of the bag. If this govt really is elected, than why is it afraid of the re-count? They are elected, people like them so what is the big deal? And for the peoples' support for PTI, and PAT, it think we can leave it up to the people of Pakistan. Though the govt wants to talk to PTI and PAT now, I wonder why.

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Ihsan

Jul 05, 2014 12:14pm

Opening these four constituencies is virtually a death for PMLN.

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ishrat salim

Jul 05, 2014 12:16pm

@Lucky Star If PTI lost on these 4 constituencies why the votes are not being verified as demanded by PTI ? PTI has registered their reservation as per rule & it is the duty & responsibility of EC / election tribunal to resolve the issue...just because you & PML N thinks otherwise, so votes / thumb verification is not necessary ?

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Dr AH

Jul 05, 2014 12:18pm

PML-N , especially, Saad Rafiq,cannot be trusted. There is no need of evidence for allegations against PML-N. PTI and PAT may not be right in many other points, but in the case against PML-N, they are absolutely right and need more and more public support. PPP is not going to be real opposition. PPP and PML-N are looting partners !

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TAYYABA

Jul 05, 2014 01:23pm

there is something wrong in tho bottom so PMNL is hesitating thumb verification in 4 constituencies.

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M.M.Sherazi

Jul 05, 2014 01:31pm

We endorse such positive attitude of the PML-N government, by inviting the PTI leadership to resolve and address the core-issues causing may-hem in the country. Such wisdom-gestures by the ruling party certify the untiring efforts focused on addressing the dire circumstances prevailing in the country in the wake of the on-going military operation in North Waziristan, demanding the bolstering initiatives by all the political parties in general and the major political parties in particular. We expect that back-door channels remain vastly open in discussing and resolving political conflicts without fail.

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SKhan

Jul 05, 2014 01:45pm

I hope IK doesnt side with the Canadian fraud. Qadri is nothing but a power monger & has no real intentions. PTI, I voted for you, please sit down with PMLN & get them to listen to our terms but democratically, lets strengthen the nation through patience, unity & honesty.

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Nazir

Jul 05, 2014 02:35pm

The only solution is to end family rule, whether it is PML-N or PPP... Family rule must end...

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Patriot

Jul 05, 2014 02:39pm

Another act of waste of time and money. Govt should not spend its energies with endless and useless talk with PTI and PAT. PTI has already wasted alot in its jalsaas and dharnaas and they are fond of doing the same.

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Patriot

Jul 05, 2014 02:41pm

@Israr Khan Ismailzai . Please name a single journalist who was saying before the elections that PTI will form a Govt. PTI just crying crying and crying. Wasting money and time instead of helping IDPs and KPK Awam.

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Whistle_blower

Jul 05, 2014 02:50pm

PMLn has already taken a lot of time responding to the rigging allegations. They have had enough time to have fixed their earlier wrongs now. Now soon the 4 places would be open to re count and PMLn will win easily. :(

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M.M.Sherazi

Jul 05, 2014 03:21pm

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Lucky Star

Jul 05, 2014 07:22pm

@malik I think offer of PM-Nawaz is being misread by supporters PTI. PTI leadership is nothing but a group of people involved in collecting Zakat from overseas and playing dirty politics in Pakistan both in the name of miseries of Pakistani people.

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Lucky Star

Jul 05, 2014 09:44pm

@Patriot PTI and PAT don't care about the money because they collect lot of money overseas as Zakat from Muslims in the name helping poor in Pakistan and donations from non-Muslims to create chaos and unrest in Pakistan.

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