KARACHI: Former premier Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party spokesperson on Thursday rejected a news report that claimed he had given the green signal for fresh negotiations with the government, describing it as “fake news.”

Pakistani English language newspaper “The News” reported on Thursday that Khan had accepted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s offer to hold negotiations and instructed the party’s chairman, Gohar Ali Khan, to proceed with talks. The report said Khan had expressed “a strong preference” that the talks be conducted away from the TV cameras to ensure “meaningful outcomes.”

The PTI and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government have been at loggerheads ever since Khan was ousted from the prime minister’s office via a parliamentary vote in April 2022. The former premier has been in jail since August 2023 on a slew of charges he says are politically motivated. His party has led anti-government protests and marches that have led to clashes with law enforcement personnel.

“There is no such statement made by Imran Khan,” Sayed Zulfikar Bokhari, Khan’s adviser on international affairs and a former federal minister, told Arab News. “It is fake news. Neither has any offer been made to sit with Shehbaz Sharif or vice versa.”

Meanwhile, Gohar declined to comment on the development. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and the government’s legal spokesperson, Aqeel Malik, did not respond to Arab News’ request for a comment.

Attempts to break the political deadlock in the country via a dialogue between the PTI and the government began in December 2024. However, talks collapsed after the PTI in January presented its demands, which included the formation of judicial commissions to probe the party’s anti-government protests in May 2023 and November 2024.

The violent protest rallies, including the one on May 9, 2023, saw people carrying PTI flags rampage through military offices and installations. A second anti-government protest in November 2024 was held by the party to demand Khan’s release from prison. The government says four troops were killed in clashes with Khan supporters. The PTI denies the charges and claimed its supporters were shot by law enforcers.

The PTI gave the government seven days to form the judicial commissions, after the expiry of which the party unilaterally withdrew from talks in January.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office on Thursday welcomed US President Donald Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria, describing the decision as a “pivotal step” toward regional stability and the country’s economic recovery. 

In a speech given in Riyadh amidst Trump’s trip to the Middle East this week, the US president said he “will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness.”

The surprise announcement marked a significant shift in Washington’s policy toward Syria, where sanctions targeted ousted President Bashar Assad’s government during several years of war. US imposed the sanctions on Syria over its alleged crackdown on dissent and reported human rights abuses. 

“Pakistan welcomes the United States’ decision to lift sanctions from Syria, marking a pivotal step toward regional stability and economic recovery,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said in a statement. 

The foreign office said Islamabad has consistently advocated for constructive engagement and dialogue. It added that the easing of sanctions is expected to facilitate economic growth, improve access to essential services and support the rebuilding efforts of the Syrian authorities.

“We commend the commitment of all countries, in particular the US, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, working constructively toward a peaceful Syria,” it added. 

The foreign office said Islamabad supports a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned resolution, and remains steadfast in its support for the country’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Syria’s new government has sought to rebuild its ties with regional countries and international financial institutions after Assad’s ouster. The United Kingdom has also removed its sanctions on 12 Syrian government entities, including the ministries of defense and interior, and the General Intelligence Directorate.