Islamabad — Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa spokesperson Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif has stated that while they believe in dialogue — having negotiated even with the Tehreek-e-Taliban — currently, there are no talks underway with the government and protests will continue, Express News reported.
Speaking to the media in Peshawar alongside Shibli Faraz, he said, “the govt has filed false cases against us. Six cases have been registered against me. We have protested before, and we will continue to do so until this illegitimate government is ousted.”
He asserted that traveling to Islamabad is every citizen’s right, and PTI founder Imran Khan has made it clear that the protests will continue. “Sit-ins, rallies, and demonstrations are all part of a movement, and we have the right to protest anywhere.”
Barrister Saif emphasized, “I have always been a proponent of dialogue. It was I who initiated talks with the Taliban. We have even held negotiations with the Tehreek-e-Taliban. We believe in dialogue, but no talks are currently happening. If Imran Khan permits, we will engage in negotiations.”
Criticizing the government, Barrister Saif said, “These fake individuals call us instigators. They should not talk about democracy. The real instigators are those who opened fire on unarmed citizens while negotiations were ongoing.”
Commenting on law and order, the K-P spokesperson said, “Security is a regional issue. Since 1979, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has faced law and order challenges stemming from Russia’s invasion of Afghanistan.
The PTI has not worsened the security situation; the federal government is merely blaming us for failing to maintain peace. It is the federal government’s responsibility to ensure border security, and issuing statements alone does not fulfill that responsibility.”
Barrister Saif further mentioned that a grand jirga has been activated to maintain peace in Kurram. “We facilitated a ceasefire, and the Chief Minister donated a helicopter to deliver medical supplies. There is no emergency in Kurram, just an ongoing conflict. Orders have been issued to dismantle the bunkers built in the area.”
In response to a question, he said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government will decide whether to participate in the governor’s All-Parties Conference (APC).
