Former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi ruled out negotiations with PTI chief Imran Khan over snap polls.

“Imran Khan can negotiate with the government over the economic crisis, and current political situation,” the former premier said on Aaj News programme Spot Light with host Munizae Jahangir, adding that if the PTI chief wanted to dissolve the Punjab and KP assemblies “we will not stop him from doing so and we are ready to contest election”.

Khaqan Abbasi said that it was the responsibility of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to announce the by-elections on the seats that would be vacated after the PTI dissolved the assemblies. “There is a procedure for holding elections in such a situation.”

Last week Imran Khan had urged the coalition government to hold talks to decide a date for an early election to end an impasse that has stoked political instability.

“Either sit with us and talk as to when the next elections should be held or else we will dissolve the assemblies,” Khan had said.

The PML-N is sticking to its stated stance of going to general elections after completing its tenure in August 2023, even if the PTI dissolves the Punjab and KP assemblies.

Abbasi said that if the PTI wanted to talk on early elections then there was no need to hold talks. “No back-door talks are possible with the PTI and if Imran Khan wants to hold talks he should come to the National Assembly and should hold talks.”

He said that no one could overthrow a government by hurling threats. “If you [Imran Khan] have the courage then come to the assembly, bring a no-confidence motion [against the coalition government], and get it ousted.”

When asked if anyone was playing the role of bridge between the two parties, he said that how could such role be played if a person only uses abusive language? “Imran Khan should first change his attitude then sit with us and talk.”

Responding to a question regarding Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s meeting with President Arif Alvi, the PML-N leader said that he did not know about Dar’s meeting with the president.

“There is no scope of negotiations regarding early elections. I don’t know whether our government is negotiating with Imran Khan [or not],” said the former premier.

Earlier in the day, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said that informal communication between his party and the federal government had begun and talks were taking place.

“We have tried to make them [coalition government], especially Ishaq Dar, understand that no system other than elections can bring stability in the country,” he had said.

Khaqan Abbasi said that Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervez Elahi had confessed that it was former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa who asked Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) to side with PTI.

Lashing out at the CM Punjab, Abbasi said that Elahi had done politics on signals. “If anyone thinks that he will get the date for early election by threatening, then it is not possible.”

“It is now better [for PML-Q] to complete their term,” he said, adding that the current government’s term would end on August 17, 2023, and after two months next general elections would be held.

“Dissolving the assemblies means that you have failed.”