Mohsin Naqvi denied negotiation with PTI on November 24 protest

Islamabad: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday denied negotiating with the former ruling party—Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to postpone its protest on November 24.

Talking to media after attending a Islamabad High Court (IHC) hearing regarding the PTI protest, Naqvi said that no talks were taking place as negotiations were not held under threats.

He said that he was in favour of talks, however, holding talks after giving threats is not possible. 

The development comes after the former prime minister said he had received an “offer” via top party leaders to postpone his much-hyped Islamabad protest, slated for November 24.

The PTI founder said that he was told “everything will be alright” if he accepted the offer. "[I] received an offer via Barrister Gohar and [KP CM] Gandapur to postpone the protest and everything will be alright," he said.

However, Interior Minister stated, the negotiations were not possible with the PTI if it announced staging sit-ins.

"The nation should decide on the protests because why do they hold protests on specific dates?" he asked referring to the upcoming visit of foreign delegates.

Naqvi further said that whatever the court orders, they will implement it.

"Protest in your province as you wish, you will not be allowed to come to Islamabad and protest," he added.

The interior minister earlier attended a court hearing at the IHC on the petition filed by the Traders Association President Asad Aziz regarding the PTI protests, saying their business was being affected.