LAHORE   -  PML-N Punjab President Rana Sanaullah on Thursday endorsed the statement of the Chief Spokesman of the Pakistan Army and claimed that former PM Nawaz Sharif is not willing to be a part of any deal or to engage in such discussions with any state institution. Addressing a press conference in Lahore, he said, “I second the DG ISPR’s statement and also believe in it. We are not a part of any dialogue regarding any deal with any institution or the establishment,” he replied when asked to comment on the Army spokesperson’s remarks.

Sanaullah added that he believes in the statement issued in this regard a day earlier by Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar, who had categorically rejected the impression there was ‘a deal’ in the works with PML-N supremo Nawaz.

“If there’s such a situation, then I am not aware of it. Only Allah knows what happens behind closed doors,” he said during the press conference. Sanaullah said Nawaz had instructed the party to build a narrative that every institution should operate within the parameters of the Constitution of Pakistan.

He also made it clear that the party’s self-exiled leader was not interested in becoming a part of any such dialogue.

Rumours of a deal gathered pace after former National Assembly speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said last month that he was going to London to bring back Sharif. The topic was subsequently discussed by federal ministers and even mentioned by the prime minister.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar, in a press conference on Wednesday had addressed murmurs of the military establishment holding a dialogue with Sharif, to which he had said: “I will only say that all of this is baseless speculation.

Sanaullah said that Sharif neither wants to do any deal nor become a part of any such dialogues. “He (Sharif) has told us categorically on multiple occasions to strive for free and fair elections and [shape] our political narrative on the need for institutions’ to remain within their boundaries. He has never asked anyone to be involved in such matters. “In fact, in his latest directives for party leaders, he (Sharif) asked them either to not meet high officials of the establishment or do so only after informing the party. Other than happenstance, neither is anyone allowed to hold such meetings nor are they happening.”

Sanaullah said Sharif would return to the country anytime as per his wish, adding that the party has advised him to first undergo complete medical treatment before flying back.

The PML-N leader said the party founder must also keep in mind that he would not be given justice, and “people are aware that he has been treated unfairly in different false cases.”

Sanaullah also rejected rumours of Shehbaz Sharif’s secret meetings in Rawalpindi. “He is neither a part of any deal or conspiracy and nor he will be,” the party leader added.