ISLAMABAD: The political discourse has been reignited with claims of backchannel negotiations, as PML-N leader Javed Latif revealed that multiple attempts were made to strike a deal with the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), but none of them materialized.
Speaking on Dunya News’ program “On the Front,” Javed Latif disclosed that efforts to broker an understanding were made three to four times. He alleged that these attempts were sometimes influenced by international forces and at other times by internal pressure. “Former cricketers are also writing letters. I have been saying since day one that the founder is being facilitated,” Latif stated.
The PML-N leader also raised concerns over statements made by Sohail Afridi regarding the formation of a task force. “Forming armed groups also harms the party and the state,” he warned, criticizing the move.
On the other side of the aisle, PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai dismissed the notion of any deal outright. Speaking on the same program, he asserted, “If the founder PTI wants to make a deal, it is a matter of two minutes. He will not make a deal.”
Yousafzai acknowledged internal differences within the party but distanced himself from recent meetings involving senior party figures. “I do not know what Ali Amin Gandapur and Aleema Khan discussed,” he said, adding pointedly, “Ali Amin Gandapur should have raised this issue first.”
The exchange highlights the deep mistrust between the two major political parties and the internal tensions within the PTI regarding political strategy.
