‘No Room for Sedition’: Ishaq Dar Rejects Any Possibility of Deal with PTI

LAHORE (RNN TV) — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday firmly rejected the possibility of any reconciliation with PTI, labeling its leadership as “seditious elements” and emphasizing that any future dialogue would only occur after a complete surrender.

Speaking to the media in London, Dar stated there would be “no deal with sedition” and reiterated that those responsible for the events of May 9 must face legal consequences.

“Justice seems to be prevailing in the May 9 cases, and those involved are facing the consequences,” Dar remarked. “If someone is punished after a transparent legal process, there is nothing we can do. It’s unfortunate that millions of dollars are being spent abroad to malign Pakistan’s institutions.”

Dar also launched a scathing attack on PTI’s founding chairman, accusing him of undermining Pakistan’s national interests through his policies and actions.

“The PTI leadership has actively harmed the country’s standing,” Dar added.

Diplomatic Success in Belarus

Dar also provided an update on his recent visit to Belarus, calling it a major diplomatic success. He explained that discussions focused on the potential export of 150,000 skilled workers from Pakistan to Belarus and cooperation in heavy machinery manufacturing.

“This is a comprehensive process. The Belarusian government will soon share details on the sectors they need manpower for. While they have been sourcing talent globally, they’ve agreed—at our request—to allocate the entire quota to Pakistan,” Dar said.

He also highlighted the strong relationship between former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the President of Belarus, which played a key role in facilitating these talks.

Nawaz Sharif’s Political Role

When asked about Nawaz Sharif’s political future, Dar dismissed the idea that the PML-N leader had stepped away from politics.

“Has he ever left politics? He remains the president of the PML-N, and both federal and provincial governments continue to seek his guidance,” Dar said.

Dar also confirmed that UK-based Pakistani diaspora members in the cabinet would attend the upcoming overseas convention in Islamabad. He added that the government was actively working on establishing an international airport in Azad Kashmir, with a feasibility study already underway. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to announce the project at the convention.

Safe Basant Festival in Punjab

On a cultural note, Dar confirmed that the Punjab government was moving forward with plans to revive the traditional Basant festival in a safe and regulated manner.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the provincial administration has formed a high-level committee to organize the festival, which is scheduled for February 2026. Officials are considering hosting the event in Lahore’s historic Walled City over two days. Safety measures will include a ban on motorcycles and only registered vendors being allowed to sell kites and twine.

Condemnation of Killing of Pakistani Nationals in Iran

Dar also condemned the killing of eight Pakistani workers in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province, urging Iranian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation.

The victims, employed as automobile mechanics, were shot dead at a workshop in the Mehrestan district near the Afghan border. Six of the victims were from Khanqa Sharif in Bahawalpur, and two were from Tehsil Ahmedpur Sharqia.

“We have taken this matter seriously and have demanded answers from Iran,” Dar said. “The loss of innocent Pakistani lives abroad must not go unaddressed.”