Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, announced on Tuesday that the government has established a subcommittee to prepare a written response to the formal demands presented by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. This move comes amid ongoing negotiations aimed at reducing political tensions between the government and PTI.
Following two rounds of discussions, the PTI formally submitted its demands in writing during the third round of talks last week. Despite several weeks of negotiations, significant progress has been slow on key issues such as the formation of a judicial commission and the release of PTI prisoners. The government had assured PTI that it would respond to the opposition’s demands within seven working days, after PTI warned that it would boycott the next round of talks unless judicial commissions were established to investigate the May 9 and November 26 incidents.
Speaking to reporters in Islamabad after a committee meeting at Parliament House, Sanaullah said, “A subcommittee has been formed that will prepare a response to PTI’s charter of demands,” adding that the response would be delivered in writing.
When asked about the formation of judicial commissions, Sanaullah stated that answers to these questions would be included in the government’s official response to the PTI.
Senator Irfan Siddiqui also weighed in, describing the discussions as productive and confirming that the government would respond to the opposition’s demands within the promised seven-day timeframe. He further emphasized that a fourth meeting had already been scheduled following the conclusion of the third.
“We have only reviewed the opposition’s charter of demands so far, and no formal opinion has been formed yet,” said Siddiqui, expressing hope that PTI would participate in the fourth round of talks.
Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Ali Gohar reiterated the party’s threat to boycott the talks, stressing that the government’s willingness to establish judicial commissions for the May 9, 2023, events would be a key factor in their participation. He stated, “If the government indicates it will form judicial commissions, PTI will cooperate, as per Imran Khan’s instructions. If not, there will be no session.”
The negotiations between the PML-N-led government and PTI have been marked by mutual accusations of insincerity and obstruction. Tensions escalated again recently with heated exchanges between government and opposition lawmakers in both the National Assembly and Senate. However, the January 12 meeting between PTI’s leadership and Imran Khan in Adiala Jail helped pave the way for the resumption of talks.
