Senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Senator Rana Sanaullah on Sunday reiterated his party’s offer to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for talks, stressing that democracy thrives through dialogue.
Speaking to reporters after casting his vote in the by-elections, Sanaullah criticized jailed PTI founder Imran Khan, saying he “never engaged in politics” and refused to talk to anyone during his tenure as prime minister. “Democracy advances through dialogue, but they [PTI] created a deadlock,” he added.
His remarks came a day after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi assured the PML-N-led federal government of his support for the “sake of peace” in the country. Afridi said no National Security Committee (NSC) meeting had taken place since he became KP CM. “I will attend NSC meetings and speak up for the rights of the province,” he said.
Sanaullah recalled that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had previously offered PTI talks on the Charter of Democracy and said his party still supports dialogue with political leaders to resolve issues. He criticized Imran Khan for focusing on filing cases against opposition leaders instead of engaging in talks.
The PML-N leader expressed confidence in his party’s victory in the by-elections, stating, “The public will support the PML-N.” He noted that voter turnout usually ranges between 25% and 30% in by-polls.
Sanaullah said the by-elections were conducted peacefully, with no arrests or disruptions reported. He added that while development projects were temporarily paused due to the elections, the planning for these projects had already been completed.
