President Alvi proposes to mediate between govt and PTI

President Arif Alvi has offered to act as a mediator between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Shehbaz Sharif-led government to defuse the nation’s escalating political tension.

In an interview with BBC Urdu on Thursday, Arif Alivi, a close adviser to PTI Chairman Imran Khan, stated that it is now essential to reduce the simmering tension and suggested that the political leaders hold talks.

“I’m offering them [political parties] to sit so that top leadership can communicate,” Dr. Alvi stated.

The president claimed that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government is employing delay strategies concerning PTI, adding that “there is no communication between the two parties in this regard.” The president had previously engaged in multiple rounds of discussions with federal ministers.

Dr. Alvi continued that although the government had expressed a desire to speak with the PTI, no progress had been made.

Speaking of the economy, the president denied rumors that Pakistan was in default on its debt and claimed that there was a potential for development.

I’m advising everyone to join together and work instead of going in that path, he stated. “If they had listened to me, it would have been better. I’m not a philosopher, but historical surveys indicate that there ought to have been a dialogue.”

The president bemoaned his inability to discern who was more “reluctant”.

President Alvi stated that he was not aware of any specific information regarding connections between former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa and ousted prime minister Imran Khan.

Alvi emphasized, “I have attempted to put an end to such misunderstandings. It is my duty as president to maintain the unity of our federation. For Pakistan, harmony is preferable to conflict, and I would also advise that.”

The president attributed the disputes between the Gen. (ret.) Bajwa and the PTI head to social media.

Dr. Alvi warned that if social media is given greater weight than these issues, difficulties will result.

President Alvi stated he was not aware of any proposals to extend the former army chief’s tenure when asked about it.