Civil Disobedience Call
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has agreed to engage in talks with the government’s negotiation committee, but it has made it clear that its call for civil disobedience will remain in place as a condition for the start of discussions.
According to PTI’s information secretary, Sheikh Waqqas Akram, the civil disobedience movement, initially called by jailed PTI founder Imran Khan, will not be revoked unless Khan himself decides to do so.
Akram emphasized that only Imran Khan has the authority to withdraw the civil disobedience call, which remains a crucial factor in the party’s negotiation strategy.
The government has condemned the civil disobedience movement, which was slated to begin on December 22, as a disruptive measure. However, the PTI has insisted that the call for civil disobedience will continue unless the demands outlined by Khan are met.
These demands include the release of PTI workers and supporters from prison, as well as the formation of a judicial inquiry into the events surrounding the May 9 riots and the November 24 protests.
The civil disobedience movement, which will also involve overseas Pakistanis being urged to stop sending remittances, has drawn significant attention, particularly as it poses a direct challenge to the government’s efforts to stabilize the country’s economy.
In the lead-up to Monday’s talks, Akram stated that PTI leaders would first meet with their jailed founder, Imran Khan, after the meeting with the government committee to discuss the outcome of the discussions.
The party intends to use this session to assess whether the government is serious about resolving their issues and meeting the demands laid out by Khan. “Whatever Imran Khan directs about the civil disobedience movement, we will implement it,” Akram added, reaffirming the party’s commitment to following Khan’s guidance.
In parallel, Imran Khan has tasked Barrister Saif with the responsibility of uniting opposition parties to strengthen the PTI’s political position.
Saif has already started negotiations with several key opposition leaders and is working towards forming a united front.
An important meeting of opposition parties, including members of the Grand Democratic Alliance such as Pir Pagara and Zulfiqar Mirza, is scheduled to take place at the Chief Minister’s House in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa later this week.
Additionally, PTI plans to invite leaders from other major opposition parties, including Jamaat-i-Islami and JUI-F, to join the discussions, as they look to build a broader coalition against the government.
The PTI’s strategy continues to revolve around a two-pronged approach: engaging in dialogue with the government while maintaining pressure through the civil disobedience movement. This reflects the party’s determination to press for its political demands while seeking to unify opposition forces in the country.
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