ISLAMABAD: The opposition PTI party clarified on Saturday that former Prime Minister Imran Khan is not seeking personal relief in the ongoing talks with the government.
In a press conference at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House, PTI leaders, including Senator Shibli Faraz, National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, and Asad Qaiser, accused the government of misrepresenting the purpose of the negotiations. Faraz emphasized that PTI is a peaceful party committed to legal and constitutional struggles and set a January 31 deadline for the talks’ outcome.
The PTI leaders also discussed a 2021 National Security Committee meeting, where former army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa proposed dialogue with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Ayub added that Gen. Bajwa, along with other military officials, had briefed lawmakers, including then-opposition leaders, about the proposed TTP talks.
The PTI also raised concerns about the smuggling of petroleum products worth Rs 550 billion annually, alleging a lack of local border oversight. They called for an investigation into the matter and demanded a judicial commission to look into the May 9 and November 26 violence, insisting that PTI workers, whom they called innocent, should be released. Additionally, Qaiser highlighted the economic struggles of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to tensions with Afghanistan and the impact on local livelihoods.
