Government Urges PTI to Stay in Talks Amid Demands for Judicial Commissions
ISLAMABAD:As the PTI announced its decision to suspend talks with the government until judicial commissions are formed, the government urged the opposition to remain part of the dialogue and promised to address their demands in the fourth round of talks scheduled for January 28.
The PTI’s move to halt negotiations came just after the confirmation of the upcoming fourth round of talks. Three rounds of discussions have already taken place, with PTI submitting its demands in the last meeting. The government requested seven working days to respond.
PTI leader Omar Ayub emphasized that the party would not continue discussions unless the government formed commissions to investigate the May 9 and November 26 events. “No commissions, no negotiations,” Ayub stated on social media.
However, the government maintained a conciliatory approach, urging PTI to stay engaged in the talks. Irfan Siddiqui, the spokesperson for the government’s negotiation committee, assured that the government would provide a written response to PTI’s demands on January 28. “We promised PTI a response within seven working days, and we will definitely fulfill that commitment,” Siddiqui told Dawn after a meeting with ruling allies.
Siddiqui expressed confidence that PTI would attend the next meeting. “They started the dialogue, and they should continue with it. Skipping the next meeting would be illogical,” he stated. He also emphasized that the talks were specifically focused on PTI’s demands for judicial commissions, though no decision had been made yet.
The government is preparing to address PTI’s requests in detail and planned to present its response as promised. Siddiqui noted that National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, who heads the negotiation committee, had been asked to call the fourth round of talks on January 28, or a date that works for both parties.
In the meantime, the ruling allies have been meeting regularly to review PTI’s demands. Legal experts were consulted during these meetings to assess the constitutional aspects and relevant court decisions regarding the PTI’s requests.
The PTI has called for judicial commissions to probe the violent protests of May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024, and for the release of PTI prisoners.
Meanwhile, PML-N leader Khurram Dastagir Khan made it clear that the government would not compromise on the May 9 riots issue.
The dialogue process, which began in December 2024 after a long standoff, has seen some initial resistance from PTI, which was reluctant to share its demands in writing. However, after receiving approval from Imran Khan, the party submitted its demands, focusing on the formation of judicial commissions and the release of prisoners.
