Islamabad: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has said that Pakistan’s political system and democratic process can only move forward through dialogue and negotiations, not through deadlock or confrontation. He accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan of deliberately avoiding negotiations and instead pursuing a strategy of chaos and instability.
Speaking during Geo News’ morning show Geo Pakistan, Rana Sanaullah emphasized that political disputes in a democracy must be resolved through discussion and consensus. He said that political parties should sit together and engage in meaningful dialogue to address the country’s pressing challenges, including political polarization, economic difficulties, and governance issues. According to him, refusing dialogue only deepens divisions and weakens democratic institutions.
Rana Sanaullah revealed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has extended an invitation to PTI for negotiations on four separate occasions in the past. However, he claimed that despite these repeated efforts, the PTI founder failed to respond positively. “The Prime Minister has demonstrated seriousness and sincerity by repeatedly inviting PTI to the table, but there has been no constructive response from Imran Khan,” he said.
The adviser stressed that the government’s intention behind offering talks was to reduce political tension and create an environment of stability. He said Pakistan cannot afford prolonged political deadlock, especially at a time when the country is facing economic pressure, inflation, and the need for structural reforms. Rana Sanaullah argued that dialogue is not a sign of weakness but a hallmark of mature and responsible politics.
Referring specifically to Imran Khan, Rana Sanaullah said that the PTI founder is not engaged in genuine political activity. Instead, he alleged, Imran Khan’s approach is centered on confrontation and agitation rather than democratic engagement. “Negotiations are not part of his policy,” Rana Sanaullah said, adding that Imran Khan believes in pressure tactics rather than parliamentary or political solutions.
He further claimed that within PTI, all decision-making authority rests solely with the party’s founder. According to Rana Sanaullah, no other leader in PTI has the mandate or power to make decisions independently. This centralized control, he said, has effectively paralyzed the party’s ability to participate meaningfully in dialogue. “Except for the PTI founder, no one else in the party has the authority to take decisions,” he remarked.
Rana Sanaullah also expressed skepticism over the possibility of negotiations under the current PTI leadership style. He said that talks cannot move forward when one side is unwilling to compromise or even engage sincerely. “If the intention is not dialogue but disorder, then negotiations with the government become impossible,” he stated.
He accused Imran Khan of deliberately creating political uncertainty in order to exert pressure on state institutions. According to Rana Sanaullah, such a strategy is harmful not only to the political system but also to the country’s economy and international standing. He said political instability discourages investment, undermines public confidence, and distracts the government from addressing urgent public issues.
The adviser reiterated that the government remains committed to democratic norms and constitutional processes. He said the ruling coalition believes that dialogue is the only sustainable way forward and that all political stakeholders must act responsibly. “Politics and democracy progress through dialogue, not through deadlock,” Rana Sanaullah repeated, underscoring his central message.
Commenting on PTI’s overall approach, Rana Sanaullah said that while disagreements are natural in politics, outright refusal to engage with the government reflects a lack of seriousness. He added that political maturity requires the ability to sit across the table, even with opponents, and discuss differences for the sake of national interest.
He also referred to the Prime Minister’s recent renewed offer of talks to PTI, describing it as another attempt to bridge political divides. Rana Sanaullah said the government remains open to negotiations if PTI is willing to engage constructively. However, he made it clear that dialogue cannot take place under threats, agitation, or attempts to create instability.
Rana Sanaullah warned that continued political chaos would only worsen the country’s problems and increase public suffering. He urged all political forces, especially PTI, to adopt a responsible attitude and prioritize national stability over personal or party interests. According to him, Pakistan needs political calm and consensus to move forward on economic recovery and institutional reforms.
In conclusion, Rana Sanaullah said that while the government believes in dialogue and reconciliation, it cannot negotiate with a party that seeks confrontation instead of compromise. He reaffirmed that the door to talks remains open, but responsibility now lies with PTI leadership to demonstrate seriousness and willingness to engage in democratic dialogue rather than pursuing what he described as a path of chaos and disorder.
