Govt ready for talks with opposition, says minister

The federal government is fully prepared to hold talks with the opposition, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain said on Sunday.

According to 24NewsHD TV Channel, speaking to the media at his residence in Lahore, the minister said dialogue remained the government’s preferred path to address political issues.

Rana Tanveer made it clear that the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder from jail was not linked to negotiations but depended solely on court verdicts. 

“Such matters are to be decided by the judiciary, not through political bargaining,” he said.

Commenting on recent political developments, the federal minister said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had done little beyond visiting Lahore, adding that symbolic gestures could not substitute meaningful governance.

Turning to regional issues, Rana Tanveer warned that any attempt by India to engage in what he termed “water terrorism” would be treated by Pakistan as an act of war, cautioning that such a move could lead to a dangerous situation in the region.

He also welcomed the recent visit of United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Pakistan, saying it reflected the deep-rooted relations between the two countries. 

The minister said the UAE was now showing keen interest in strengthening Pakistan’s economy, adding that several economic cooperation agreements had been signed during the visit.