ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has said that the government’s doors for negotiations remain open, but the willingness to hold talks cannot be used as a means to force political demands by holding the state hostage.

His remarks came after talks between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) reached an impasse.

Rana Sanaullah said PTI workers who set out for the long march on October 4 had failed to gather more than a few thousand people at any location. He reiterated that the government was ready to resolve political issues through dialogue, while stressing that maintaining the writ of the state was equally important.

Speaking about the government’s counterterrorism policy, he said a policy against terrorism was already in place and was being implemented. According to him, security forces were conducting intelligence-based operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while the provincial government had reservations about such operations.

The second round of talks between the government and PTI also ended without a final agreement. The discussions covered several issues, including the long march, a meeting with Imran Khan, and cooperation by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in counterterrorism efforts. However, the two sides failed to reach consensus.

Responding to a question about a statement by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Rana Sanaullah said, “If he comes, his father is here and he will stop him.”