The federal government has refused to respond to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s charter of demands before January 28, the day the next round of talks is scheduled to take place, with the former ruling party insisting on the formation of judicial commission for continuity of negotiations.
“As per the agreed communique, no response will be given before seven-day deadline…we will respond to PTI’s demand for judicial commission at the next round of talks,” PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui — who is also the spokesperson for the government negotiation committee — said while speaking to a news channel on Sunday.
Uncertainty looms over the future of the negotiations, facilitated by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, as conflicting statements emerge from the embattled former ruling party with PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan saying ongoing talks were put on hold, a shift from the party’s earlier announcement of calling them off.
The PTI “called off” the negotiation process due to “non-cooperation” of the government and delay over the formation of a judicial commission to probe the May 9, 2023 violent protests and a crackdown on party protesters in Islamabad on November 26 last year.
The PTI and the ruling coalition have been engaged in talks aimed at defusing political tensions in the country for nearly a month. Both sides have held three rounds of talks so far.
Speaking to a news channel, Irfan Siddiqui lambasted the Imran-founded party for ending the talks unilaterally, saying that the abrupt end was a surprise not only for the committee but also for the PTI itself.
Barrister Gohar said that the government delayed the start of negotiations and also delayed the formation of the commission. “If the government is serious about the talks, take one positive step and we will talk to Imran,” he said.
