Govt offers talks or 'action' to marchers.

Byline: Amir Wasim

ISLAMABAD -- After getting a cold response over its talks offer, the government has once again 'requested' the opposition to come to the negotiating table, but with a veiled warning that 'the state has all the right to establish its writ otherwise'.

The fresh offer for talks was made by Federal Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, the head of a seven-member committee formed by the government to engage the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) and other opposition parties ahead of their planned Oct 31 'Azadi March', at a press conference at Parliament House on Saturday. He was accompanied by Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood, another member of the committee and, like Mr Khattak, one of senior leaders of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Pakistan (PTI).

Hours after the presser by the two ministers, the main opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) came out with a reaction and asked Prime Minister Imran Khan to first apologise to the nation and to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for having staged a sit-in in 2014 before offering talks to them.

Mr Khattak again outright rejected the opposition's demand for the prime minister's resignation, saying such a demand amounted to 'an attack' (on the constitution).

'The prime minister's resignation is impossible. This will be an assault. We will not let it happen. Then there will be an action,' Mr Khattak warned. 'If the talks fail, law would take its course to protect life, property and businesses of the citizens.'

PML-N asks Imran to apologise over 2014 sit-in before dialogue

Addressing the opposition parties, particularly JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Mr Khattak said: 'We are repeatedly asking you to come and sit with us. If you have any issues, you should talk. There is democracy (in the country). If you don't sit with us and talk, we would have fulfilled our responsibility. Whatever happens afterwards, only you (the opposition parties) will be responsible for it,' Mr Khattak said.

The defence minister warned that if the opposition tried to foment unrest in the country, the government would be left with no option but to 'act' and make decisions according to the law.

'If you will not come (for talks), then there will be chaos. There will be riots. Whichever situation emerges, then don't complain,' he said.

'We have opened our cards. The government will act in accordance with the law. It has decided to establish its writ. We will not allow anyone to harm businesses of the people,' he...