Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Wednesday once again extended an olive branch to the opposition, offering negotiations and urging the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to approach the courts regarding the disqualification of its lawmakers.

Addressing the National Assembly, Tarar said, “The opposition should join us at the table to run the House smoothly, improve the political environment, and carry out meaningful legislation. The prime minister has issued clear instructions in this regard.”

He lamented that the Criminal Law Amendment Bill had been pending for seven months and no one was willing to engage in discussion. “This bill benefits both politicians and ordinary citizens,” he added.

Responding to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan’s earlier remarks, the law minister said, “His statements are legal in nature and belong in court. We believe in the rule of law, and punishments for convicts are handed down according to the law. This House is not the forum to discuss the events of May 9.”

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Tarar advised PTI to challenge the Election Commission’s disqualification decisions in court, citing the example of Jamshed Dasti, who secured relief from the high court. “These matters must be taken to the judiciary, which will decide accordingly,” he said.

PTI slams government’s conduct

Earlier, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan, while speaking on the assembly floor, criticised what he called the government’s “increasingly undemocratic conduct.”

He noted that people across Pakistan had come out in protest in support of PTI founder Imran Khan.

“Our senior leaders have been jailed. PTI won 180 seats in the elections but was only awarded around 90,” Gohar claimed.

He added that opposition leaders including Omar Ayub, Zartaj Gul, and Jamshed Dasti were disqualified unlawfully and unconstitutionally.

He asserted that the Election Commission had no authority under the Constitution to issue such disqualifications and accused the government of ignoring constitutional provisions and Supreme Court rulings.

“PTI has been politically cornered and our voice has been suppressed at every level,” he said, while reiterating the party’s condemnation of the May 9 incidents.

“We want democracy to flourish in Pakistan, but instead, vindictive actions are on the rise.”