The second round of dialogue between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will take place this afternoon, with the rescheduled in-camera meeting now set for 3:30 PM.
Initially scheduled for 11 AM, the meeting timing was changed at the request of the negotiation committees. The session will be chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq in the Parliament House’s Constitution Committee Room. As the facilitator and leader of the talks, Sadiq will oversee the discussions between the government and PTI.
During this round of negotiations, PTI has presented key demands, including the release of PTI prisoners and an investigation into the events surrounding the May 9 and November 26 protests, which they want to be handled by a judicial commission.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur warned that PTI would consider launching a protest movement if the talks failed to yield results. Speaking to a private TV channel, Gandapur emphasized that PTI leader Imran Khan had authorized the negotiations only for the country’s welfare. However, he made it clear that the party would move ahead with a protest if its demands were not met, particularly the release of political prisoners and the formation of a commission to probe the violent protests of May 9 and November 26.
Gandapur also expressed hope that 2025 would usher in what he described as “real freedom,” adding that PTI would rely solely on public support for its movement, without the need for foreign backing.
On the other hand, PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui stated that the government would consult with coalition partners about PTI’s charter of demands after receiving them. He mentioned that legal assistance might be sought on the issues raised, particularly regarding the May 9 and November 26 protests.
Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, addressing the ongoing dialogue, urged PTI leaders to prioritize national interests and refrain from attacking the country’s security institutions in the future. He also reiterated the government’s stance that PTI was involved in the May 9 riots and emphasized that such practices must cease.
Asif stressed that the government’s dialogue with PTI was in the broader national interest, highlighting that despite the political instability caused by PTI since 2018, the government had managed to reduce inflation. He emphasized the importance of political stability to meet economic and export targets effectively.
