Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has responded to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s invitation for dialogue, saying that hollow talks and mere claims cannot resolve political issues.

Speaking to the media outside the Islamabad High Court, Barrister Gohar questioned why negotiations with the government had been discontinued after the PTI’s negotiating committee had participated in the talks.

He asked whether a deadlock meant that dialogue had to end, adding that disagreements should not force negotiating parties to abandon the table. He also questioned who had directed the parties to walk away from the negotiations and why.

Barrister Gohar reiterated PTI’s opposition to the imposition of emergency and Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, describing such measures as unlawful and unjustified. He maintained that the circumstances did not warrant these steps.

He further alleged that the entire bureaucracy had been changed and accused the authorities of pursuing measures aimed at eliminating a political party. He said such actions were contrary to democratic principles and should be stopped.

The PTI chairman also said he had not been in contact with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi since October 11. According to Barrister Gohar, communication had also become difficult with PTI members of the provincial assembly and the provincial assembly speaker.