PTI
The second round of negotiations between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the government is scheduled for January 2 at the Parliament House in Islamabad.
The PTI, under the leadership of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has finalized two key demands to present to the ruling coalition following internal consultations.
Since Khan’s imprisonment on multiple charges last year, relations between PTI, the government, and the military have soured, leading to a period of unrest marked by violent protests and harsh government crackdowns.
In response to escalating tensions, Khan formed a five-member committee to engage in talks with “anyone,” signaling a shift in the party’s parliamentary strategy. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reciprocated by establishing a negotiation committee comprising members of the ruling coalition.
The initial round of discussions between the two committees was held on Monday, setting the stage for anticipated negotiations aimed at defusing political tensions in the country.
According to PTI insiders, the party plans to present its demands in writing during the upcoming meeting. These demands include establishing a judicial commission to investigate the events of May 9 and November 26, and the release of political prisoners.
Shaukat Yousafzai, a senior PTI leader, confirmed the demands during a television appearance, stating, “Imran Khan will take back the civil disobedience call if these two demands are met.”
Yousafzai emphasized the importance of bridging the trust deficit between political parties to move forward. When asked whether political heavyweights such as Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan, and Asif Ali Zardari could come together, he said it was possible if trust issues were resolved.
Former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser reiterated that PTI’s demands are straightforward and reiterated the party’s commitment to cooperating in efforts to move the country forward. He confirmed that all members of PTI’s negotiating committee would participate in the next round of talks.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif cautioned his party to approach the negotiations carefully, highlighting the need to tread cautiously in pursuit of a resolution.
The government team, led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, includes prominent figures such as Rana Sanaullah, Irfan Siddiqui, and Naveed Qamar, among others.
The National Assembly Secretariat has confirmed that the second meeting will be chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and will be conducted in-camera.
Scheduled to begin at 11:30 am, the meeting aims to build on the progress achieved in the first round of negotiations, where both sides agreed to continue the dialogue.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed optimism about the talks, underscoring the importance of achieving positive progress in the broader national interest.
PTI has set January 31 as the deadline to finalize negotiations, with both sides striving to bridge gaps and foster a cooperative path forward for Pakistan’s political and economic stability.
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