PTI only interested in talks with 'powerful quarters': Hammad.

ISLAMABAD -- With eyes set on the powers that be, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) waltz away from the incumbent government on Friday, saying it was only interested in talks with the 'powerful stakeholders', ironically, for restoring the Constitution and democracy in the country.

While showcasing its desire for an embrace with the establishment's firm grip, former minister for economic affairs and PTI Secretary General Central Punjab, Hammad Azhar, left nothing to imagination where the former ruling party sees the center of real power.

The former minister, who was recently made a part of PTI's negotiation team, equated holding negotiations with the leadership of the ruling alliance as nothing but a waste of time. 'We don't want to waste time negotiating with puppets,' Hamad said in a statement, saying the incumbent rulers are 'imposed people with no vote bank'.

Alleging that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led government was hiding behind crutches, Hammad said that 'for the sake of restoration of the Constitution and democracy, negotiations have only been offered with the real decision-makers.'

The ruling parties have rejected beleaguered former...