ISLAMABAD: The government is reportedly considering offering house arrest to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, provided he agrees to accept the current political setup and renounces agitational politics.
Conditions for the Proposal
- Acceptance of the Current System:
- Imran Khan must acknowledge the existing political framework, which ensures the continuation of the present coalition government until 2029.
- No Compromise on May 9:
- The government maintains its firm stance on holding those involved in the May 9 unrest accountable through legal proceedings, including Imran Khan.
- Agitational Politics:
- Imran Khan would need to cease confrontational political activities.
Government’s Position
A senior member of the government’s negotiating team, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasized that while there are no preconditions for dialogue, the government’s stance on key issues remains non-negotiable.
- Judicial Process for Release:
- The government committee has reiterated that leaders and workers detained must seek their release through the courts rather than executive orders, reflecting the precedent set during PTI’s tenure.
- Many government committee members, who were jailed during Imran Khan’s rule, were only released through judicial processes.
PTI’s Demands
The PTI committee has expressed its key objectives for the upcoming January 2 negotiations, including:
- The release of Imran Khan and other detained leaders.
- The party’s ultimate goal of reinstating Imran Khan to power.
Government’s Broader Agenda
The coalition government seeks to use the dialogue to build consensus on critical national issues, including:
- Charter of Economy: To ensure long-term economic stability.
- Renewed Charter of Democracy: To strengthen democratic institutions.
- Unified Counterterrorism Policy: To address the growing threat of terrorism.
- Limits on Political Protests: To prevent future political unrest.
Official Statements
- Senator Irfan Siddiqi:
- Dismissed claims of a proposal to move Imran Khan to Banigala.
- Stated the government would formally respond to PTI’s demands in the next meeting.
While informal backchannel discussions have occurred, the government committee has stressed that any agreements will prioritize Pakistan-specific issues over person-specific or party-specific interests.
Outlook
The January 2 meeting between the two committees will likely reveal whether a middle ground can be reached. However, the stark differences in the positions of both sides may make a consensus challenging. The government appears resolute in maintaining its authority while offering PTI a chance to align with the current system.
