ISLAMABAD: Second Round of PTI-Government Talks Concludes
The second round of negotiations between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the government has ended, with PTI requesting additional time for consultations with party founder Imran Khan regarding their written demands.
Key Developments from the Talks
Speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq briefed the media post-meeting, announcing that discussions will resume next week in a third round. The negotiations aim to resolve ongoing political disputes.
Summary of PTI’s Primary Demands
| Demand | Details |
|---|---|
| Release of political prisoners | Includes PTI founder Imran Khan and others detained during recent unrest. |
| Judicial commission | To investigate incidents on May 9 and November 26. |
PTI has committed to presenting their demands in writing at the upcoming meeting.
Government’s Response and Commitments
Senator Irfan Siddiqui, a member of the government’s negotiation team, issued a joint statement addressing PTI’s demands. He confirmed the timeline for negotiations would depend on consultations with PTI’s founder and assured flexibility where possible.
Additional Demands from PTI
| Demand | Details |
|---|---|
| No further legal cases | No new cases should be filed against political prisoners. |
| Judicial processing of existing cases | Existing cases to proceed solely based on judicial decisions. |
PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai reiterated that fulfilling these demands is key to progress.
Key Participants in the Negotiations
| PTI Delegation | Government Delegation |
|---|---|
| Umar Ayub (Opposition Leader) | Rana Sanaullah |
| Ali Amin Gandapur (KP Chief Minister) | Irfan Siddiqui |
| Asad Qaiser | Raja Pervaiz Ashraf |
| Sahibzada Hamid Raza | Naveed Qamar |
| Raja Nasir Abbas | |
| Salman Akram Raja |
Pre-Negotiation Consultations
Preliminary discussions preceded the second round of talks. Key highlights include:
| Participant | Role in Pre-Negotiation Discussions |
|---|---|
| Speaker Ayaz Sadiq | Engaged with PTI leaders to discuss parliamentary matters and strategies. |
| Rana Sanaullah and Naveed Qamar | Represented government perspectives in preliminary consultations. |
Speaker Ayaz Sadiq’s Role as Facilitator
Speaker Sadiq emphasized his neutral role, ensuring both sides effectively present their demands. He highlighted the importance of constructive dialogue for resolving political differences.
Deadline for Government Response
| Key Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 30 | Deadline for government to respond to PTI’s demands. |
Shaukat Yousafzai reiterated the party’s stance on releasing detained workers and forming a judicial commission.
Conclusion
As negotiations progress, both sides remain hopeful for a resolution. The third round of talks is expected to provide clarity on the government’s stance and PTI’s final demands.
