RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday reiterated its demands for a judicial inquiry into the May 9, 2023 violence and crackdown on the party’s protesters on November 26, as well as the release of its leaders and workers. , including the founder of the party. Imran Khan.
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadqi called a closed-door meeting of the government and PTI negotiating committees on January 2, to complement their inaugural meeting on December 23. The PTI is expected to submit its demands to the government in writing.
The development occurred when the PTI founder refused to budge on his stance, saying he would never reach an agreement on the advice of the “establishment” or any foreign power. He also reiterated his party’s demand that a judicial investigation be carried out into the incidents of May 9 and November 26.
Imran’s statement came out through his sister, Aleema Khan, who spoke to the media outside Adiala Jail after meeting her brother. He quoted Imran as saying that why would he settle when he was fighting the cases against him?
“Imran Khan has said that he will not reach any agreement even on the advice of the establishment or any other country,” Aleema Khan told the media. “He demands a judicial commission on the protests of May 9 and November 26. He refuses to be transferred to [his] Bani Gala [residence] under house arrest.”
Aleema Khan, quoting the PTI founder, claimed that “the May 9 conspiracy was pre-planned” by those responsible for making CCTV footage of the incidents disappear. He added that those who left the party after May 9 were forgiven.
He alleged that countless people were still missing since last month’s protests in Islamabad’s Democratic Chowk district. He also alleged that the bodies of the deceased PTI protesters had been buried. He told reporters that Imran’s sentences would not stand in appeals from the high court.
Aleema Khan’s comments were echoed in a statement issued by PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas. He reaffirmed PTI’s unwavering commitment to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution, the rule of law and the pursuit of Haqeeqi Azadi. [true freedom].
“Illegally imprisoned PTI founder Imran Khan has categorically refused to make any deal or seek foreign interference to secure his release because he believed in the country’s judicial system to deliver justice,” Ahmed said.
Ahmed criticized the government for creating a fuss over the ongoing negotiations process and seeking escape routes from the talks. He accused certain government ministers of contaminating the political environment through propaganda to prevent a negotiated solution to the current crisis.
He particularly criticized the statements of Information Minister Ataullah Tarar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal for spreading “toxic propaganda”. He stressed that the PTI will continue to demand justice for the November 26 protesters.
Ahmed also rebuked Ata Tarar for criticizing the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government in a “white paper” on Sunday. He said the PTI founder had predicted that 2025 would be the year of change because “these power grabbers have ruined the country and the system can no longer sustain itself.”
Talks
On December 23, the government and PTI delegations came to the table for talks aimed at addressing the political challenges facing the country. During the meeting, chaired by President Ayaz Sadiq, the PTI presented its initial demands.
Some members of the PTI delegation, formed by the party’s founder, could not attend the inaugural session for various reasons. In the meeting it was decided that both sides would meet again on January 2 and the PTI would formally submit its written demands to the government side.
At the talks, the government team included Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Advisor to Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leaders Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Naveed Qamar and others .
On the PTI side, the delegation included former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) president Sahibzada Hamid Raza and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) leader Allama Raja. Nasir Abbas.
Those who did not attend the December 23 meeting were National Assembly opposition leader Omar Ayub, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Salman Akram Raja. Asad Qaiser said all members of the PTI negotiation committee would attend the next round of talks.
Meanwhile, President Ayaz Sadiq called the closed-door meeting between the government and the PTI on January 2, 2025 in Parliament at 11 am, which was expected to build on the discussions that began on December 23.
Asad Qaiser described the first round of talks as positive. He reiterated the PTI’s demands, stating that the party was firm on the need for a commission to investigate the May 9 and November 26 incidents. He also highlighted the need for Imran’s release.
