ISLAMABAD, July 24(ABC): Planning minister Ahsan Iqbal, in reaction to a news report of a national reconciliation in the works, has attributed it to PTI Chairman Imran Khan feeling the “noose around him tightening” in the foreign funding case, reported.
“Perhaps Imran Khan feels the noose around him tightening in the foreign funding case and so he has suggested such talks take place,” Iqbal said.
The PML-N leader warned that no dialogue can be held for an “NRO” (concession under the National Reconciliation Ordinance) in the foreign funding case.
He said he is unaware of any plans for general elections to be held in October.
Establishment mulling ‘soft intervention’
The establishment is considering a “soft intervention” under which it may mediate between PTI Chairman Imran Khan and the coalition parties — comprising PML-N, PPP, JUI-F, and others — sources told on Saturday, as political and economic crises grip Pakistan.
The sources told the publication that there are chances of a “grand dialogue” between the Opposition and the government with the intervention of the establishment.
The development comes as the Pakistani rupee continues its downward trend against the US dollar and the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) also witnessing constant plunges in recent sessions — both markets recording historic lows.
Not only this, but there has also been persistent political instability since Khan’s ouster from power with political parties in a tug of war over Punjab.
Hamza Shahbaz of the PML-N, a candidate of the present coalition government, took oath twice as Punjab chief minister in the last four months but with his appointment challenged time and again in the courts, the matter has now gone to him being appointed a trustee chief minister until Monday.
The situation has given way to the likelihood for the next general elections to take place soon, with the sources putting the time frame at October