The government has expressed disappointment over Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) decision to suspend ongoing talks and urged the former ruling party to reconsider its stance as the deadline for key negotiations approaches.
In a statement on Thursday, Irfan Siddiqui, spokesman for the government’s negotiating committee, called the PTI’s move “unfortunate” and stressed that the January 28 deadline, which marks seven working days for the government’s demands, was still in play. PTI.
He further noted that the PTI had made a number of demands to the government, but had not taken the time to consider the responses provided.
This change in the PTI’s position came after party leader Imran Khan, who remains jailed, expressed frustration over the government’s failure to set up a judicial commission within the seven-day period.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said the lack of action on this demand, coupled with a perceived lack of fulfillment of previous commitments, led Imran Khan to declare that negotiations should end.
Siddiqui, speaking to media outside Parliament, reflected on the course of talks that began in late December to ease political tensions. He noted that the negotiations, which have spanned three rounds, have made limited progress on key issues.
The main demands of the PTI included the formation of two judicial commissions to investigate the May 9, 2023 riots and the incidents related to the PTI protests in Islamabad from November 24 to 27, 2024.
The government, Siddiqui continued, had been working diligently on these demands. A subcommittee, formed by the government and supported by seven allied parties, had been preparing a written response.
However, he expressed confusion over the PTI’s hasty withdrawal, questioning why the party decided to call off talks with just a few days left before the deadline.
Siddiqui also defended the government’s actions throughout the process, highlighting its restraint in response to Imran Khan’s calls for civil disobedience and social media activity.
He urged the PTI to reconsider its decision and suggested that the party leadership, beyond the influence of Imran Khan, could still be open to constructive dialogue.
