Pakistan PM says govt open to talks with Khan’s party, rejects ‘blackmail’

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said Tuesday the government is prepared to hold dialogue with the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) if the party demonstrates seriousness and agrees to talks “within constitutional and legal limits.”

Shehbaz made the remarks during a meeting of the federal cabinet, as political tensions remain high following the conviction of PTI founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan in a corruption case.

The prime minister said PTI and its allied parties have recently been calling for dialogue, adding that the government welcomes negotiations but will not engage under pressure, blackmail or unlawful demands.

“I have repeatedly stated on the floor of the National Assembly that if PTI is sincere about meaningful negotiations, the government of Pakistan is also ready for dialogue,” Shehbaz said.

He stressed that only lawful and legitimate issues can be discussed. “There can be no dialogue based on illegal demands or blackmail. Talks can move forward only on justified matters and within the framework of the Constitution and law,” he added.

The statement came three days after a special Pakistani court on Saturday announced its verdict in the second gifts repository case, sentencing Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to a total of 17 years’ simple imprisonment each.

The court also imposed heavy financial penalties after finding the couple guilty of corruption and criminal breach of trust, adding to Khan’s legal troubles since his removal from office through a parliamentary vote of no confidence in 2022.

Later the same day, five senior leaders of PTI called for nationwide dialogue, saying talks were the only way to pull the country out of what they described as a prolonged political, economic and social crisis.

The appeal was signed by former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, former Punjab health minister Yasmin Rashid, former provincial governor Omer Sarfraz Cheema, senior party leader Ejaz Chaudhry and former Punjab minister Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed.

Shehbaz said political harmony among all parties is essential for Pakistan’s stability, development and prosperity, particularly as the country faces economic pressures and governance challenges.

Political tensions

The comments come amid ongoing friction between the ruling coalition and PTI, which has continued protests and sharp criticism of the government while demanding negotiations. The government has repeatedly said it believes in dialogue but will not compromise on the rule of law or constitutional order.

PTI’s leadership has been largely sidelined since unrest erupted on May 9, 2023, following Khan’s arrest, when protests across the country turned violent and included attacks on military-related sites. Authorities responded with mass arrests and prosecutions, while several party figures later quit politics or distanced themselves from PTI.

Pakistan has since faced persistent political uncertainty, high inflation, fiscal pressure and strained civil-military relations. While calls for reconciliation have surfaced from political and civil society figures, sustained engagement among key stakeholders has yet to materialize.