Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai, who was picked by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to lead the negotiations, expressed willingness to hold talks with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.
Earlier this week, the former ruling party picked Achakzai to lead the negotiations via the opposition alliance’s platform Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Ayeen (TTAP).
“Pakistan needs a strong army,” Achakzai said, speaking on Geo News‘ programme “Capital Talk” on Thursday, clarifying that his movement is not against the military.
“We have raised the banner for the supremacy of democracy and the Constitution.”
Achakzai warned: “If Zardari and Nawaz Sharif do not join us, a time will come when they will not be able to step out of their homes.”
He highlighted the growing public frustration over the unbridled cost of living, noting, “People are angry. They are facing trouble to make both ends meet.”
PkMAP chief Achakzai enjoys the full authority from the PTI to lead the talks with the government that will centre upon matters about the release of incarcerated leaders and workers, electoral transparency, and the constitutional boundaries of the judiciary, parliament and other state institutions.
The PTI’s political leadership will also be part of the negotiations with the government, sources said.