Government and the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Monday started talks, marking a step towards addressing several contentious issues, including the release of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The first round of meetings was aimed at easing tensions between the rival camps, and the next round has been scheduled for January 2.
Besides the release of the PTI founder, the opposition party also demanded the formation of commissions to investigate May 9, 2023 riots and Nov 26, 2024 protest and arrests of party activists.
The PTI has welcomed the formation of the government’s negotiation committee. They claimed that it is a positive initiative to reduce enmity between political parties and enhance mutual dialogue among them. Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan urged the need for meaningful dialogue driven by positive intentions and underscored the importance of having a defined timeline for the talks.
He said in response to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s decision to establish a high-level body, Gohar Ali Khan highlighted the sensitivity of the prevailing situation, urging both sides to approach the negotiations with sincerity. He remarked that genuine efforts were required to resolve the pressing issues while keeping the interests of the people at the forefront.
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan stated that PTI’s demands had already been conveyed to the government. He welcomed any formal request for negotiations from the government, adding that the seriousness of the authorities would be a key factor in determining the success of the talks.
Commenting on the committee’s potential, Ayub questioned its authority, emphasizing the need for it to be empowered to address the concerns raised by PTI. He also reiterated the PTI’s earlier proposal for the creation of a judicial commission as part of the negotiations.
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When asked about the civil disobedience movement, Ayub clarified that all decisions regarding the movement rested solely with the PTI founder, Imran Khan. He stated that no definitive position or opinion would be formed without consulting the party leader.
PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram revealed that the party had accepted an invitation from NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq to meet with the government committee. He added that the progress of the meeting would be shared with the PTI founder, who would decide the next steps, including whether to continue or suspend the civil disobedience movement.
PTI founder Imran Khan’s demands
In a statement shared on social media, the imprisoned former prime minister and PTI founder, Imran Khan, reaffirmed his demands:
- The release of under-trial political prisoners
- The formation of a judicial commission to investigate the events of May 9 and November 26 transparently.
He described these demands as “legitimate” and warned that a civil disobedience campaign, starting with a “remittance boycott,” would begin if no progress was made by Sunday.
The PTI leadership remains hopeful that the government will approach the upcoming talks with seriousness and commitment, paving the way for meaningful resolutions.
Calls from influential people from across the globe for Imran Khan’s release have been growing in the recent past.
From Richard Grenell, a close ally of US President-elect Donald Trump, to British MP George Galloway, and former UK Opposition Leader Jeremy Corbyn, have all called for the release of Imran Khan.
The calls have drawn significant attention among Khan’s supporters in Pakistan and overseas.