PTI Gets Imran’s Nod to Continue Talks with Govt, Submits Demands
PTI Gets Imran’s Nod to Continue Talks with Govt, Submits Demands
RAWALPINDI: A senior party leader stated on Wednesday that Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has instructed his party’s negotiation team to persist in discussions with the government.
This development follows a significant meeting between the PTI negotiation team and the former prime minister at Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, which took place after a prolonged pause.
“PTI’s founder has instructed us to continue the negotiations and has authorized the submission of both of the party’s demands in writing to the government committee,” remarked PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan during a media briefing outside Adiala jail.
This progress comes as PTI leaders, including Barrister Gohar, Ali Zafar, and Sher Afzal Marwat, convened with the former prime minister in a courtroom within the Adiala facility. The situation clarifies the uncertainties surrounding the ongoing discussions between PTI and the government, which had recently been clouded by the former ruling party’s challenges in meeting with its imprisoned founder and articulating its written demands. For several days, PTI has asserted that the authorities at Adiala jail have prevented them from meeting Khan, linking their ability to present a formal charter of demands to this restriction.
After enduring months of political contention, the two parties engaged in two negotiation sessions on December 27, 2024, and January 2, 2025. Nevertheless, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party’s failure to submit written demands and to meet with Khan has raised concerns regarding the viability of the discussions, leading to a stalemate with the government, which has insisted on these prerequisites.
During the most recent meeting between the government and the PTI negotiation committees, it was agreed that the party would present its charter of demands in the subsequent session following a meeting with the imprisoned prime minister. Additionally, it was determined that the third round of negotiations would be convened after the PTI committee had conferred with Khan.
The former ruling party has consistently reiterated its demands for the release of its founder and party members, as well as the establishment of a judicial commission to investigate the incidents surrounding the riots of May 9 and the protests of November 26 of the previous year.
Regarding the future of negotiations with the government, Barrister Gohar stated that the party would now articulate its demands in written form. Concerning the negotiation committee’s meeting with Khan, the PTI chairman indicated that the former prime minister has requested an additional round of talks if they are not permitted to meet with him. However, he emphasized that Khan believes progress in discussions is not feasible unless the party’s negotiators can meet with him.
The PTI emphasized its desire to prevent negotiations from being hindered by the issue of written demands. The PTI leader noted that they had established effective communication with the government prior to November 2024. Unfortunately, he expressed disappointment that progress stalled thereafter.
Barrister Gohar dismissed the notion that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi or any other individual had requested Khan’s release, clarifying that there had been no discussions regarding relocating him.”The PTI founder has indicated a willingness to accept invitations from any nation,” Gohar stated.”However, we have previously rejected any overtures from the United States, and should there be interference, we will continue to voice our objections,” he added.In a separate development, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) held a hearing at Adiala jail. Khan requested a medical examination and was permitted to communicate with his sons.
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