8/22/2014 Tensions easing as PTI returns to negotiating table - Pakistan - DAWN.

COM
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Tensions easing as PTI returns to
negotiating table
By Dawn.com
Published 14 minutes ago
ISLAMABAD: For the second time since it mobilised thousands
of supporters for anti-government protests in Islamabad,
tensions appeared to be easing on Friday as the Pakistan
Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) prepared to initiate talks with the
government.
Following a meeting of the PTIs core committee today, senior
leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi told reporters in Islamabad that his
party was now ready to engage in negotiations with the Pakistan
Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) led government.
Qureshi said that the government had already started removing
containers in Islamabad, while an FIR has also been registered
against culprits who earlier attacked his Multan residence. He said
that he will soon contact Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad
Sarwar to further play his part in facilitating the talks with the
government.
The developments Friday came shortly after PTI lawmakers
submitted their resignations from the National Assembly.
The party, which leads the provincial government in Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, has been engaged in protests and sit-ins against the
Nawaz government over alleged rigging in the 2013 general
elections.
The PTI is demanding electoral reforms and a change in the
election commission, and the resignation of the prime minister.

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election commission, and the resignation of the prime minister.
Following the partys core committee meeting, television channels
quoted PTI leader Naeemul Haq as saying that it was possible that
the prime minister could depart on a long leave until a probe into
electoral rigging is completed.
Haq said that the core committee discussed matters in detail with
legal advisors.
The constitution allows the prime minister to go on a long leave,
he was quoted as saying. We hope we will meet the government
delegation soon.
However, PTI senior leader Arif Alvi soon denied that the party was
willing to show flexibility in its demand for the prime ministers
resignation.
There is no flexibility. Our stance is still the same as our original
position: that the prime minister should resign and then the
government can consider our other five demands, he said.
When the governments negotiating team comes, we will see their
response and then react. But there is no such decision as yet from
the core committee, he said.
Alvi said the two sides were expected to meet for negotiations later
tonight.
Meanwhile, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq told reporters in
Faisalabad that things were looking brighter now and that there
were chances that issues might be resolved through dialogue.
He urged National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq not to
accept resignations of PTI MNAs.


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