‘Negotiations were a sham’: Raja Nasir Abbas lambasts government for pre-planning governor’s rule
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas on Tuesday alleged that negotiations with the government were a sham, claiming that the decision on governor’s rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa had already been made before the talks concluded.
The federal government imposed an emergency and governor’s rule in K-P on Sunday under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution. The government cited the deteriorating law and order situation and what it called a lack of support from the provincial administration in the fight against terrorism.
The upper house opened the floor for debate on the move.
“The negotiations were a sham. You had already made up your mind,” Abbas said, arguing that the opposition had shown flexibility by stepping back from its demand for a meeting with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan, while the government had refused to reconsider its position.
Speaking during a Senate session chaired by Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Abbas said the opposition wanted to meet Imran to seek his guidance in light of the prevailing global situation, adding that denying access to a detained political leader raised questions about the government’s commitment to political dialogue.
“We are not being allowed to meet Imran Khan, who is a prisoner and the head of a political party,” he said.
Abbas maintained that the opposition had demonstrated a willingness to compromise during negotiations but alleged that the government had already decided on its course of action.
He also criticised the reported move towards imposing governor’s rule in K-P, warning that such measures could deepen political tensions and undermine efforts to restore peace in the province.
Questioning the message being conveyed to young people in K-P, the opposition leader said the authorities’ actions suggested that political struggle and recourse to the judiciary carried little weight. He warned that pushing people away from democratic and political processes could increase frustration and potentially contribute to further instability and militancy.
Referring to the governor’s reported remarks urging people to leave their homes, Abbas argued that such statements could have the opposite of their intended effect by encouraging more people to take up arms.
He cautioned that policies pursued in the name of “restoring order” could aggravate terrorism and unrest, rather than address their underlying causes.
Drawing a comparison with former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, Abbas said that even Musharraf had tolerated dissent to some extent, questioning why a government operating under a democratic system could not accommodate political disagreement. He also alleged that PTI lawmakers, including members of the National Assembly and provincial assemblies, were being abducted.
Abbas said the political crisis could still be resolved through dialogue and corrective action.
He urged the government to end governor’s rule, warning that the move would not deliver lasting peace and could instead inflict further damage on the country.
“Peace cannot be established through such measures. Pakistan will suffer the consequences,” he said.
Earlier, the Senate session began with prayers for those who lost their lives in the Multan railway incident, with Abbas leading the prayers. The house also approved a motion to defer the question hour.
The panel of presiding officers was announced, with Senators Shahadat Ahsan, Manzoor Ahmed and Abdul Qadir nominated to the panel.
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More to follow.
