Government Calls on PTI to Reconsider Decision to End Negotiations
The government’s negotiation committee spokesperson, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, has urged the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to reconsider its decision to terminate the fourth round of talks.
Speaking to the media outside the Parliament House on Thursday, Siddiqui stated, “The seven-day deadline given by PTI will end on January 28. Our committee has been formed, and work is underway. It took PTI six weeks to finalize its demands, but now they are seeking a government response within a week.”
Concerns Over PTI’s Decision
Siddiqui emphasized that PTI should have waited for the government’s reply before announcing the end of negotiations. He questioned, “Where will PTI stand after ending talks with the government? Will they resort to repeating events like May 9 or November 26?”
He added that if PTI has decided to end the negotiations, it should formally notify the government in writing. “The negotiation process was initiated at PTI’s will. They formed the first committee, which prompted us [PML-N] to establish our own,” he explained.
Read More: PTI Leadership Stipulates No Talks Without Judicial Commission
Previous Rounds of Talks
The spokesperson highlighted that three rounds of talks were held between December 5 and January 16, involving the government’s allies and PTI representatives. Siddiqui expressed disappointment over PTI’s abrupt decision to end the negotiations, stating, “The deadline hasn’t even expired, and yet PTI has chosen to end talks in the same hurried manner they began them.”
The National Assembly speaker has been requested to convene a meeting of the negotiation committee on January 28.
PTI’s Stance
Earlier, PTI announced its decision to terminate the negotiations, citing a lack of cooperation from the government and failure to establish a judicial commission as key reasons.
Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail, revealed that PTI founder Imran Khan decided to end the talks after the government refused to form a three-member judicial commission to investigate the May 9, 2023, violent incidents.
Khan also mentioned that PTI is now running a civil disobedience movement and alleged that the negotiation committee failed to address their core concerns.
Siddiqui’s Response
In response to PTI’s claims, Siddiqui criticized the party for ending the talks prematurely and claimed the government remains committed to freedom of expression. However, he lamented the misuse of journalism by some vloggers, stating, “The things vloggers are doing under the guise of journalism are not reflective of true journalistic practices.”
Siddiqui also raised concerns about fake columns published under his name, noting that the FIA has yet to take action against such practices.
The situation remains tense as both sides prepare for the next steps in this political deadlock.
