Senator Irfan Siddiqui, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) parliamentary party in the Senate and member of the government committee for negotiations with the PTI, has stated that the convictions and sentences in the 9 May should not affect the negotiation process. .
In an interview with a private news channel, the senior PML-N leader highlighted that from the first day of negotiations, the Home Ministry was directed to facilitate the meeting of the PTI committee with Imran Khan. “We want this facilitation to continue in the future,” Siddiqui added.
He praised the positive atmosphere of the initial meeting and described it as a good opening. “The fact that we are sitting together is in itself a significant development,” he said.
Siddiqui also pointed out that the PTI, having been in government, understands the constitutional and legal processes involved in releasing people from jail. He clarified that the government has not set limits on how far these negotiations can advance.
When asked about the sentencing of 60 people in general courts-martial on the ground and its possible impact, Siddiqui said that the imprisonment cannot be considered a stalemate and that the convictions and sentences in the May 9 cases should not affect the negotiation process.
“In the past, prominent political leaders have endured long prison terms. “The talks started even though Imran Khan himself was convicted,” he noted.
Siddiqui explained that the PTI initiated the dialogue process when Imran Khan assigned the task to its negotiation committee, which then contacted the Speaker of the National Assembly. Ayaz Sadiq subsequently approached the government, leading to the start of talks.
He stated that the negotiation process is driven by the PTI and that external factors should not influence the discussions that take place within the “constitutional room” where the committee meets.
Addressing the issue of political instability, Siddiqui dismissed the idea that Imran Khan’s presence is causing unrest in any part of the country.
“We are praying for the success of these negotiations and are willing to go the extra mile to achieve this. However, even if, God forbid, this effort fails, Pakistan will continue to move forward with the same vigour,” he said.
When asked about Khan’s recognition of the government’s efforts to prevent Pakistan from defaulting, Siddiqui expressed gratitude. “We appreciate you recognizing the efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,” he added.
Responding to questions about Richard Allen Grenell’s tweets and statements, Siddiqui dismissed them as irrelevant.
“Pakistan’s policies are not determined by Grenell’s tweets. He is a non-entity to us. “We are already raising our voices for Aafia Siddiqui and are fully aware of the injustices in places like Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay and Gaza,” he said. He added that even within the United States, those involved in the attack on the Capitol faced legal repercussions.
Concluding his remarks, Siddiqui emphasized that decisions in Pakistan are made in accordance with the Constitution, law and institutional framework of the country, not under external influence.
Earlier, military courts sentenced 60 more civilians to prison terms for their role in violent attacks on military installations during the nationwide unrest on May 9, 2023. Among those sentenced is Hassan Niazi, nephew of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
