'Meaningful dialogue' has begun between Imran's party, Pak govt: Reports

Islamabad: The Pakistan government and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) have said that progress has been made during the latest round of talks, media reported on Monday. [caption id=“attachment_1701663” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Imran Khan had started a protest against Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif, demanding his resignation. AFP[/caption] A three-hour meeting was held on Sunday in Islamabad at the residence of PTI Secretary General Jehangir Tareen, Dawn online reported. PTI vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that “meaningful dialogue has begun” and that both sides were making “serious efforts to rescue the nation from the prevailing impasse”. This was the first time the PTI expressed such positive sentiments about the fate of the talks. On nearly all previous occasions, its negotiators accused the government of being non-serious about the negotiations. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, who leads the government panel, said that the two sides would meet again Monday to sort out remaining issues. “Talks are continuing with seriousness and now meaningful dialogue is taking place,” Dar said. Dar said that the government was making efforts to end the political crisis as the country had been suffering economic losses due to the crippling protests. PTI leader Imran Khan has said, “The PTI leadership will approach the Supreme Court to get Sharif disqualified as he was telling lies on the floor of the National Assembly regarding the leadership of the PTI, Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and the army.” PAT and PTI members began their protests on 15 August in an attempt to topple Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif whom they have been accused of rigging the 2013 general elections. Since then, the protesters have continued with their sit-ins in Islamabad. IANS