Two camps emerge as coalition mulls talks with PTI

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ISLAMABAD: A meeting of the heads of ruling parties summoned by the prime minister to evolve a consensus on the issue of holding a dialogue with the PTI has seemingly split the alliance into two camps.
One side, led by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is said to be favouring of talks with the opposition party on the issue of national importance, whereas the JUI-F and Jamhoori Watan Party strongly oppose to the idea. The overtly hawkish PML-N, however, says it is “still holding consultations” regarding talks with the opposition. Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, however, continued to blame the PTI chairman for a stalemate in the dialogue process. Speak­ing to journalist Talat Hussain, he said the former premier had categorically rejected their offer for dialogue in the past.
Information Minister Marri­yum Aurangzeb, however, told Dawn “consultations were in progress” within the party on the option of initiating talks with the PTI.
She also denied media reports that there was a difference of opinion within the coalition, saying that all decisions would be made aftera consensus was reached. “Parties may have different opinions, but our decisions are made with consensus,” she added.
PPP favours talks
Sources said that during the meeting, PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari reiterated his party’s stance that the government should hold talks with the PTI on issues of national importance and that shutting the door on dialogue was against democratic and political norms, as well as PPP’s principles. Mr Bhutto-Zardari was backed by BAP leader Khalid Magsi, Chaudhry Salik Hussain of PML-Q, and Mohsin Dawar in his demand.
JWP chief Shahzain Bugti, however, said he was not against talks with the PTI, but Imran Khan could not be trusted since he was a “liar”…Source: dawnnews.com