ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday formally presented its demands in writing, calling for investigations into the events of May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024, as well as the release of “political prisoners.”
The PTI’s Charter of Demands stipulates that if the government fails to establish two separate commissions to probe the violent incidents, the party will withdraw from negotiations.
During the third meeting between PTI and the government, held at the Parliament House under the leadership of National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, the PTI delegation presented its demands. The PTI team included NA Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, former NA Speaker Asad Qaiser, PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) Chairman Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, and Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza.
On the government side, the delegation featured Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, PM Adviser Rana Sanaullah, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Naveed Qamar, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) lawmaker Farooq Sattar, and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) member Khalid Magsi.
The three-page document, signed by all six members of PTI’s negotiation committee, states that the party and its allies have endured “blood and suffering,” with their leader Imran Khan and thousands of supporters facing “unjustified imprisonment.”
The PTI’s demands were finalized after negotiators met Imran Khan, who remains detained at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, for his input. In the document, the PTI emphasized that its goal in negotiations with the “government installed in Islamabad” is to advance the fight for the people’s rights, ensure the restoration of the Constitution, uphold the rule of law, and secure free and fair elections.
PTI’s Key Demands:
The PTI has outlined 22 demands in total, with a focus on the formation of two independent inquiry commissions. These commissions must be constituted within seven days and consist of either the Chief Justice of Pakistan or three serving Supreme Court judges mutually nominated by the PTI and the government.
The party also insists that the commissions’ proceedings must be open to the public and media. Among other key demands:
- The release of political prisoners arrested in connection with the May 9 and November 26 events or any other political activity.
- Suspension of sentences for those convicted, with their appeals or revisions pending in court.
- Support from federal and provincial governments for granting bail to these individuals in accordance with the law.
In earlier rounds of talks, held on December 27, 2024, and January 2, 2025, the PTI had refrained from presenting its demands, awaiting instructions from Imran Khan. Now, with his approval, the demands have been finalized and shared with the government.
Irfan Siddiqui, spokesperson for the government committee, stated that all seven coalition partners will review the PTI’s demands and consult their respective party leadership before proceeding.
