Islamabad: Government negotiation committee spokesperson Senator Irfan Siddiqui announced that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has effectively ended the dialogue process they initiated. He stated that while the government’s committee will remain intact until January 31, PTI must reach out again if they wish to resume discussions.
Speaking at a press conference outside Parliament House, Siddiqui remarked, “PTI began this negotiation process on December 5, forming a committee and holding three meetings. After 42 days, they presented their demands, and we requested just seven days to analyze them thoroughly. With input from independent legal experts, we worked diligently to make their demands as feasible as possible.”
Siddiqui noted that the government chose not to disclose the details of its response, emphasizing that it was a matter for committee-to-committee discussions. “Had PTI returned to the table, we would have presented our response, discussed objections, or included additional points. This could have led to further progress,” he added.
However, PTI’s absence effectively terminated the negotiations. Siddiqui emphasized, “While our committee remains in place until January 31, if PTI wishes to reconnect during this period, we are willing to engage. Even after January 31, if they seek to resume the process, we will consider it.”
He criticized PTI for their unilateral decision on January 23 to abandon the process, despite having initially initiated it. “Their priorities and strategy may have changed, but by sabotaging this process, they have disrespected the Speaker, the committee, and democratic norms,” Siddiqui stated.
Highlighting the government’s patience, he said, “Despite calls for civil disobedience, threats, controversial tweets, and insults directed at the Prime Minister, we maintained composure and never used any of this as an excuse to disrupt the process.”
Siddiqui clarified that the government committee will neither request PTI’s return nor send any invitation. “If PTI reconsiders its decision, we will evaluate our response accordingly,” he concluded.
