ISLAMABAD: The embattled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja on Wednesday slammed the government, demanding a drastic change in its approach if it is serious about holding meaningful negotiations with the opposition.
Talking to reporters outside Parliament House, Raja insisted that the government’s “heavy-handed” tactics were blocking any chance of constructive dialogue.
“If you [government] want to talk, change the tone,” he fired back, pointing out that a softer approach was essential for any meaningful engagement.
The PTI leader revealed he had recently met with the newly appointed opposition leader in National Assembly Mahmood Achakzai and congratulated him.
But his praise wasn’t limited to just meeting the flamboyant Baloch nationalist Achakzai, as he heaped glowing accolades on the recent speeches of both Achakzai and Allama Nasir Abbas in the National Assembly and Senate, respectively.
“What they said in their maiden speeches in National and Senate was historic,” he declared, adding that the opposition leaders had struck the perfect balance, offering both clarity and a way forward in their addresses.
Raja didn’t hold back in his critique of the government either. He accused it of “destroying the judiciary” and mismanaging Parliament, warning, “This country can’t be run like this.”
He also tore into the state of the country’s economy, stating bluntly, “Your economy isn’t on its knees; it’s flat on its face. And your youth? They’re struggling, unable to find jobs.”
Raja went on to relive PTI’s past struggles, recalling how millions of Karachiites rallied behind the party despite being denied access to key venues like Bagh-e-Jinnah.
“They wouldn’t let us set up a stage, but not a single pot was broken,” he pointed out, highlighting the discipline of his supporters during the recent visit of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to the port city of Karachi.
He also took a swipe at the authorities for their heavy-handed tactics, referencing the arrest of 800 people in Lahore when Sohail Afridi visited the city.
Tension soared as Raja took aim at the adviser to the prime minister on political affairs Rana Sanaullah Khan, accusing the government of sabotaging any real chance of dialogue.
“If you’re serious about negotiations, you need to change your approach – and stop the violence and intimidation,” he reiterated, sending a clear message to the ruling elite.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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