ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday slammed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for not seeking talks with political parties adding that Imran Khan-founded party was begging for an “NRO-like deal”.
While speaking on the National Assembly floor said PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan is begging for an NRO.
His remarks came in reaction to Hasan’s recent interview with Voice of America (VOA), wherein the PTI said that it is in the interest of the state that all stakeholders engage in dialogue. Asif said that today Imran Khan is seeking the NRO.
12 years ago, on October 5, 2007, former President and Army Chief, General Pervez Musharraf, had promulgated the National Reconciliation Ordinance, which had given amnesty to politicians, political workers and bureaucrats who were accused of money laundering, corruption, murders and terrorism.
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Khawaja Asif said the PTI is looking towards some kind of relief. However, he made it clear that negotiations with the Imran Khan-founded party could not take place until they apologized for the May 9 mayhem.
On May 9 violent protests broke out in many parts of the country after the arrest of Khan in a corruption case. The violent protests saw attacks on properties of the state including military installations.
Earlier, Asif rejected media reports that PML-N President Nawaz Sharif directed his party to hold talks with all political parties including the PTI.
