Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shaukat Yousafzai has warned that ongoing negotiations between the PTI and the ruling government could come to an end if there is no progress in the judicial commission by January 31.
Yousafzai expressed concern following repeated postponements of the £190 million landmark case, which had been adjourned for the third time, leading to growing dissatisfaction within PTI ranks.
Speaking to the media, he criticized delays in the verdict in the case, which he said were damaging the credibility of Pakistan’s judicial system.
Shaukat Yousafzai accused the government of using the judicial process to buy time, claiming that the ruling party was apparently seeking a “NRO” (National Reconciliation Ordinance), an amnesty deal intended to protect certain political figures from corruption charges.
Yousafzai reiterated the PTI’s stance, emphasizing that the party would neither seek nor accept such an agreement.
The PTI leader further suggested that the current delays in the case were a clear attempt to undermine the judicial system and prevent accountability. “It seems that the government is delaying the case for its own political benefit,” he said.
“This makes a mockery of the judicial process, and the judiciary must take strong action to restore confidence in the system.”
Yousafzai also took aim at the ruling coalition, particularly Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and other senior members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). He accused them of prioritizing business interests over governance, thus exacerbating the economic crisis.
According to Yousafzai, the ruling government’s policies had caused significant financial strain in the country, leading to increased public suffering.
He cited rising national debt, including the controversial Rp27 trillion debt accumulated over the past two years.
Yousafzai demanded an investigation into power purchase agreements (IPPs) and called for an investigation into the business interests of key politicians who she claimed had used their political power to strike “unfair” deals in the energy sector.
“The country’s economy is on the verge of collapse because of these people,” Yousafzai said. “We need to expose those who have used politics as a front for their businesses, especially in the energy sector.”
He also criticized certain ministers for undermining the ongoing dialogue, suggesting that their statements were being manipulated to derail the negotiation process. Yousafzai singled out former PTI leader and current government ally Faisal Vawda, accusing him of making unfounded predictions about the PTI’s political future.
Yousafzai’s comments come amid growing frustration within the PTI over the lack of tangible progress in negotiations with the government. The talks, which were initially seen as a potential path toward political reconciliation, have struggled to advance, and key issues such as electoral reforms and the military’s role in politics remain unresolved.
In the face of growing uncertainty, Yousafzai made it clear that PTI’s participation in the talks would depend on the judicial commission’s progress in relation to the £190 million case. He stated that if there was no positive development by the end of January, PTI would reassess its position and decide whether to continue negotiations.
“We are hopeful that there will be progress, especially with the judicial commission, but if that does not happen, then the talks will come to an end,” Yousafzai said. “Imran Khan will take the final decision on whether or not to continue negotiations after January 31.”
Yousafzai’s comments highlighted the growing divide between the ruling government and the PTI, with both sides seemingly unable to bridge their differences. While the PTI has repeatedly called for reforms and judicial accountability, the government has defended its handling of the economy and national affairs.
Despite the political tension, Yousafzai expressed one last hope: the role of Pakistan’s judiciary. He stressed that the only hope left for the PTI to achieve a resolution lay with the higher courts. “If the judiciary fails to deliver, then only Allah can help this country,” he said, emphasizing the importance of judicial independence and fairness in the face of political turbulence.
Yousafzai concluded by urging the judiciary to take a firm stance on the current issues, stating that it was their responsibility to restore public confidence in the country’s legal system.
