ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced Thursday that the government is prepared to form a parliamentary committee to continue negotiations with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), just days after the latter pulled out of talks.
PTI had abruptly ended the dialogue following three rounds of discussions, citing the government’s lack of genuine interest in addressing their key demands, including the release of political prisoners and the establishment of judicial commissions to investigate the events of May 9, 2023, and November 24-27, 2024.
The negotiations between the ruling PML-N party and PTI began in late December, after months of political unrest, with PTI staging multiple protests. However, with the collapse of talks, PTI announced plans to hold public gatherings in Swabi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Lahore (Punjab) on February 8, marking the first anniversary of the 2024 general elections, which they claim were rigged.
Despite this, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his desire to reduce political tensions and emphasized the importance of continuing negotiations to prevent further damage to the country.
In a federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad, the PM clarified that the government had taken PTI’s offer for talks very seriously, contrary to the opposition’s claims. He outlined that a committee was formed, and, with the facilitation of the Speaker, talks had begun. PTI provided their demands in writing, and the government committee responded with a written reply. A follow-up meeting had been scheduled for January 28, but PTI withdrew from the process.
The Prime Minister reminded PTI leaders of their past practices, referring to 2018 when Imran Khan, the PTI founder, had called for the formation of a parliamentary committee to engage with the opposition, a proposal which had been accepted at the time. He pointed out that only one or two meetings were held during that period and called for PTI leaders to reflect on this history.
“The parliamentary committees should investigate key events, including the 2014 protests and the November 26 incidents, as well as the 2024 general elections,” Shehbaz added. “It takes two to tango.”
The Prime Minister reiterated that he was ready, with sincerity and full commitment, to move forward with the dialogue, stressing that the country could not bear further political damage.
