Govt invites PTI to reception for Chinese dignitary

ISLAMABAD: The government has invited the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to attend a reception being hosted on Friday (today) in the honour of visiting Minister of International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC), Liu Jianchao.

The invitation was extended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar to the PTI’s parliamentary leader Barrister Syed Ali Zafar during the Senate proceedings Thursday evening.

Ali told The News that Senator Dar invited him on behalf of the PTI to attend the reception that could also be joined by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Senator Ali Zafar said he couldn’t accept the invitation without the party’s consent; however, he would inform the party leadership about the offer.

Interestingly, the PTI has been boycotting official functions/receptions since the establishment of the government. Its leaders have declined to attend banquets in honour of visiting dignitaries.

Sources said Dar reminded the PTI leader that keeping Pakistan’s proximity with China and its special ties with that country, the PTI should demonstrate solidarity in conveying to China and the world that the whole nation stood by the policy of maintaining close relationship with China.