Government begins backdoor contacts with PTI

The government has started backdoor contacts with senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership with the objective of formally restoring the stalled dialogue process on the instructions of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, it is learnt. Sources within PTI privy to the development told Business Recorder that following the Prime Minister's instructions Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has geared up efforts to resolve the stand-off between PTI and the government before the planned countrywide shutdown.
The sources within PML-N also said the Prime Minister has given the task to Ishaq Dar, one of the key members of the government negotiating team, to give dialogue another chance, saying the sit-ins have damaged the country's economy. PTI secretary-general Jahangir Tareen told media persons that his party is ready for resuming talks with the government, adding the sole objective of the party's countrywide strike call is to force the government to come back to the negotiating table.
He further stated that PTI has no option but to take to streets if the government keeps ignoring mass protests; and a thorough probe into rigging allegations during the 2013 general elections is the only solution to resolving the political crisis. When contacted Asma Ahsan, PTI central deputy secretary-information confirmed that backdoor interaction between the party and the government began post November 30 rally while formal negotiations have yet to take place. About the rescheduling of the protest dates in different cities, she said that the party decided to change its protest schedule as there were engagements of other political parties on the same dates.
"The Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) falls on December 13 and there will be security issues, besides, Jamaat-ud-Dawa is also going to hold a rally in Lahore on the same date as we had originally scheduled", she added. She also clarified that the party had no plan to block entire cities as it will only hold peaceful protest demonstrations at the entry and exit points of cities where the protests have been scheduled.
Any use of force by the police on the peaceful protesters will be resisted, she warned and added that the party is not going to damage any public or private property and any attempt to deprive them of their democratic and constitutional right would create further unrest.