ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Friday welcomed the main opposition party-Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)- decision to participate in the All Parties Conference (APC), expected to be convened by the end of this month.
In an interview with a private news channel, he said that the government had previously extended invitations to PTI for discussions, and reiterated that the offer remains open.
Asif highlighted the inclusive approach of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) leader Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, noting his consistent readiness for dialogue as a mark of political acumen.
He noted that despite past boycotts of dialogue efforts, PTI’s current willingness to engage represents a positive development.
“The participation of every political party, regardless of size, in the APC focused on national security is a key priority for the government,” Asif affirmed.
He underscored that combating terrorism is a national imperative that should transcend political divisions.
Earlier today, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan said that his party PTI would take part in the all-parties conference (APC) summoned by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take political parties into confidence over operation Azm-e-Istehkam.
He told the media persons at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, “My party will attend the all-parties conference (APC) for the sake of the country.”
The development takes place as Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to summon an APC “to gain political parties’ confidence” in newly announced Operation Azm-e-Istehkam. The Prime Minister will hold consultations to decide on the date of the APC. Sources suggest that that the date of the APC would be announced soon.
Earlier, the federal cabinet approved the launching of the counter-terrorism operation after the National Action Plan’s Central Apex Committee’s recommendations to turn up the heat on militants targeting Pakistan.
