Islamabad: The majority of members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) parliamentary party have reportedly expressed support for holding negotiations with the government, according to sources familiar with the meeting.
Sources said the participants expressed full confidence in Sohail Afridi, Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Nasir Abbas. The meeting also agreed to strengthen the party’s core committee, political committee and parliamentary committee forums.
Participants criticised some party leaders for making statements against their own party in the media. According to sources, members asked Barrister Gohar to investigate the statements made by those leaders.
Sources said Mashal Yousafzai expressed reservations about Sohail Afridi and the opposition leadership, arguing that PTI founder Imran Khan was unwell while Sohail Afridi was focused on a long march rather than negotiations.
In response, Asad Qaiser said Imran Khan had expressed confidence in Sohail Afridi, Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Nasir Abbas.
Shafqat Awan also responded to Mashal Yousafzai’s remarks, urging her not to level allegations against party members or Sohail Afridi. He said party members were accusing one another instead of focusing on putting the government under pressure.
According to sources, the majority of parliamentary party members maintained that negotiations with the government should take place under all circumstances.
During the meeting, Noor-ul-Haq Qadri repeated the word “negotiations” three times, prompting applause from the participants, sources added.