Negotiations between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have hit a deadlock as PTI has announced it will not attend the scheduled negotiation committee meeting on January 28. However, the government remains insistent on continuing talks.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar addressed the media at Parliament House, stating that they wanted to move past photo-ops and make progress on negotiations. Following instructions from PTI founder Imran Khan, Gohar confirmed that PTI would not attend any future negotiation committee meetings.
Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan sarcastically responded that the government’s negotiation committee members should call a meeting and enjoy their tea.
During a press conference at the Parliament House with fellow PTI leaders, including Omar Ayub, Barrister Gohar said that although there were many accusations against PTI, the party was still open to talks and had presented two demands. He stated that the government had requested written demands, which PTI had provided, but the government failed to announce the judicial commission as promised.
Barrister Gohar further emphasized the necessity of forming two commissions: one regarding the attack on Hamid Raza’s home, and another to ensure neutrality. He criticized the government for not announcing the creation of these commissions, which PTI believes is essential to continue negotiations.
On the other hand, Government Negotiation Committee spokesperson Irfan Siddiqui clarified that the government had not ended the negotiations and urged PTI to fulfill their commitment to attend the meeting on January 28. He pointed out the inconsistency in PTI’s approach, highlighting their sudden decision to pull out of the talks.
Siddiqui stressed that the government’s side was ready to proceed with the discussions, but without PTI’s commitment, there was little hope for fruitful engagement.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, has officially called the fourth in-camera meeting of both government and PTI’s negotiation committees for January 28 at 11:45 AM in Committee Room Number 5 of the Parliament House. Both committees have been informed about the session.
