KARACHI: Ruling out talks with Imran Khan, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Saturday said that negotiations cannot be held with those who attacked the state, rather they are awarded punishment.

In a statement, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said the PTI chief was not appealing for negotiations but, in fact, was seeking an “NRO”. She ruled out talks with those who attacked sensitive installations which were symbols of national pride, including GHQ, and ambulances, hospitals and schools.

In a separate tweet, PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif stated that negotiations could not be held with terrorists and saboteurs, but with politicians.

“There will be no negotiations with the terrorists and saboteurs involved in torching the martyrs monuments besides vandalizing the state buildings and army installations. Negotiations can only be held with the politicians,” he tweeted.

Interior minister claims intercepted conversations detailed ‘PTI dramas’

Intercepted conversations

Speaking at a post-midnight presser, interior minister Rana Sanaullah claimed intelligence agencies had intercepted a conversation indicating that the PTI was planning two separate actions, which he termed ‘dramas’.

He said the intercept revealed the PTI was planning some action at a specific residence, without offering any further details. He also claimed the intercepted conversations that indicated that a “rape act” would be committed and it would be blamed on law enforcers. “It was thought that perhaps this drama would be unfolded [tonight] so it was decided to inform the nation of these fiendish designs,” he claimed.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2023