In a surprising political development, the federal government has extended a major olive branch to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), signaling readiness for dialogue to end the ongoing political deadlock.

Senior PML-N leader Senator Irfan Siddiqui confirmed that the government is prepared to initiate talks—today, if needed—provided PTI forms a serious and authorized negotiating team.

"We're ready for talks, even today," Siddiqui told reporters. "But the ball is in PTI’s court now. If they want a ceasefire, they must first stop firing."

The senior senator's remarks came in response to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar's recent statement, where he likened the political situation to a battlefield, saying, “If a ceasefire can happen with India, why not with PTI?”

Siddiqui pushed back on this comparison, saying that true ceasefires involve both sides. "We’re not the ones attacking. PTI is the one firing—whether it's through political rhetoric, social media campaigns, or international lobbying," he asserted.

He went on to list several actions by PTI that, according to the government, undermine national stability. Among them:

• The events of May 9, which the government still refers to as an "attack on the state."

• Letters to the IMF, allegedly urging the global lender to deny Pakistan critical funds.

• Efforts to provoke international bodies like the European Parliament and U.S. Congress against Pakistan.

• Aggressive online campaigns, targeting national institutions with harsh and, in many cases, vulgar language.

Despite the harsh criticism, Siddiqui emphasized that the door to negotiations remains open. “We believe in resolving matters through dialogue, not backchannel emissaries. The Prime Minister has already made a public offer for talks,” he said.

He further reminded the public that it was PTI that earlier walked away from talks, adding that “secret backdoor talks are not our style. Let everything be out in the open.”