Islamabad: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs, Senator Rana Sanaullah, has warned that if Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan continues his policy of confrontation with the state, it will ultimately damage his own political party as well as the PTI-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Speaking to the media, Rana Sanaullah said that politics based on constant conflict with state institutions is neither sustainable nor beneficial for democratic stability. He cautioned that such an approach could isolate PTI politically and weaken its position at both the federal and provincial levels.
Rana Sanaullah stated that the federal government has shown seriousness and responsibility by offering negotiations to PTI. He emphasized that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended the offer for talks only after taking the country’s leadership and relevant stakeholders, including the establishment, into confidence. According to him, this reflects the government’s commitment to dialogue as a means to reduce political tensions and restore stability.
“The prime minister’s invitation to PTI for negotiations was not made casually,” Rana Sanaullah said. “It was extended after consultation and with the intent of moving the political system forward through dialogue rather than confrontation.”
However, he expressed skepticism about PTI’s willingness to engage constructively, citing Imran Khan’s past political behavior. Rana Sanaullah said that if one looks at the former prime minister’s political history, it becomes clear that he has rarely shown flexibility or seriousness when it comes to negotiations.
“Based on past experience, the founder of PTI has never truly been ready for dialogue,” he said. “Even when opportunities for talks arose, they were either rejected or used for political point-scoring rather than meaningful compromise.”
The adviser warned that continuing down a confrontational path could have serious consequences for PTI itself. He said that persistent clashes with state institutions could erode public trust, weaken governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and create administrative and political challenges for the provincial government.
Rana Sanaullah stressed that political parties must operate within constitutional boundaries and contribute positively to national stability. He added that dialogue, patience, and respect for institutions are essential elements of democratic politics, especially at a time when the country is dealing with economic difficulties, security challenges, and social pressures.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also shared his views on the issue while speaking to journalists outside Parliament. He expressed doubts about the seriousness of the ongoing discussion around negotiations, saying that, in his view, talk of dialogue currently appears to be limited to media statements rather than concrete progress.
“I think the talks about negotiations are mostly confined to newspaper headlines and press statements,” Khawaja Asif said. “There has been no real or serious breakthrough so far.”
Despite this skepticism, Khawaja Asif maintained that the government is not placing conditions on who the opposition chooses to represent it in any future negotiations. He said the government has no objection to Mahmood Khan Achakzai or any other individual nominated by the opposition to play a role in talks.
“We have no objection to Mahmood Khan Achakzai or any other person,” he said. “Whoever the opposition nominates, the government will accept that choice.”
Khawaja Asif also commented on the apparent tension between the government and the opposition in Parliament. He noted that while heated exchanges and strong rhetoric are often visible on the floor of the National Assembly, the atmosphere during behind-the-scenes meetings is usually far less confrontational.
“The tension you see on the National Assembly floor is not the same in meetings,” he said. “In meetings, discussions are generally more composed and constructive.”
Political analysts say these statements reflect the deep mistrust that continues to exist between the government and PTI, despite repeated public calls for dialogue. While the government insists it is open to negotiations, it questions PTI’s intentions, pointing to past behavior and ongoing confrontational rhetoric.
On the other hand, PTI leaders have previously argued that negotiations cannot be meaningful unless what they describe as political pressure and restrictions are eased. They maintain that trust-building measures are necessary before any serious talks can begin.
The broader political environment remains tense, with dialogue frequently discussed but rarely materializing into a structured process. Analysts warn that prolonged political deadlock could further complicate governance, delay reforms, and negatively affect economic recovery.
Observers also point out that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, being a frontline province in terms of security and governance challenges, requires stable relations between the provincial and federal governments. Any escalation in political confrontation, they argue, could have administrative and security implications for the province.
Rana Sanaullah reiterated that the government believes in resolving political disputes through dialogue and constitutional means. However, he stressed that this requires sincerity from all sides. “If confrontation continues instead of cooperation, the consequences will not be limited to politics alone,” he warned.
As political uncertainty persists, the question of whether meaningful negotiations will take place remains unresolved. For now, statements from both sides suggest that while dialogue is frequently mentioned, trust deficits and conflicting approaches continue to stand in the way of any real breakthrough.
