ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Friday categorically rejected reports claiming the government had decided to make a “firm and final” offer to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) involving early elections and reconstitution of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in return for the party’s return to parliamentary committees.
The claim was made by journalist Muhammad Malick during his programme Khabar Muhammad Malick Kay Saath on ARY News on Thursday. Malick alleged that “one or two important meetings” had recently taken place, resulting in a high-level decision to extend a “final and firm offer” to the PTI.
According to the programme, the government would ask the PTI to rejoin Parliament, resume participation in parliamentary committees and engage in the parliamentary process. In exchange, Malick claimed, the ECP would be reconstituted, laws amended to ensure “free and fair” elections, and general elections held a year earlier than scheduled. He further suggested that legal troubles facing PTI founder Imran Khan and his associates could ease if the alleged package deal was accepted.
However, Tarar strongly dismissed the reports in a post on X early Friday. “Absolutely false. I don’t know how these stories are cooked up every few days. Strongly rebutted,” he said.
Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik also rejected the claims, calling them “absolutely fake news”. He said no such offer had been made and stressed that the only proposal on the table was unconditional talks between political parties. He urged journalists to verify information with credible sources.
Although Barrister Aqeel Malik was present during the ARY News programme when the issue was discussed with PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai — who also denied the claims — the state minister neither commented nor was questioned on the matter at the time.
Separately, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan also dismissed the reports during a press conference at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad.
“Let me dismiss one thing first. It was said yesterday that the government has made an offer to us to hold elections after two years. This is completely false. These are all rumours,” he said.
He added that issues concerning PTI, its founder Imran Khan and democracy were “very serious” and should not be reported on the basis of unverified sources, advising journalists to approach PTI’s information secretary for official comment.
