ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has decided to “put on hold” talks with the government, according to PTI spokesperson Barrister Gohar Ali Khan. This marks a shift from Khan’s earlier announcement of entirely calling off negotiations, citing the government’s failure to meet a key deadline.
PTI’s Demands and the Stalemate
Barrister Gohar revealed that the PTI entered discussions with an open heart, with two primary demands:
- The formation of judicial commissions to investigate the May 9 riots and November 2024 protests in Islamabad.
- The release of “political prisoners.”
However, frustration grew within the party after the government missed the seven-day deadline to announce the commissions.
Khan’s initial declaration to terminate talks drew criticism from the government, which urged the PTI to adopt a more flexible approach. Now, Barrister Gohar suggests the PTI may reconsider its position if the government announces the formation of the judicial commissions.
“Seven days were more than enough for the commission announcement, but no progress has been made,” Gohar remarked, reiterating the party’s conditional willingness to rejoin talks.
Government’s Response: Frustration and Criticism
Government officials expressed frustration over PTI’s inconsistent approach. Senator Irfan Siddiqui, a member of the government’s negotiation team, criticized PTI’s unpredictability.
“We cannot negotiate with people who abruptly end talks and make announcements without coordination,” Siddiqui said outside Parliament House. He emphasized the need for professionalism and mutual respect in negotiations, accusing the PTI of lacking sincerity and consistency.
The senator also expressed confusion over Barrister Gohar’s role in PTI’s negotiations, stating that he is not a part of their official committee. “He should first communicate with his team before making such statements,” Siddiqui remarked.
Rana Sanaullah’s Perspective
Adviser to the Prime Minister, Rana Sanaullah, defended the government’s stance, asserting that it has always been open to dialogue but criticized the PTI’s lack of clarity.
Sanaullah dismissed suggestions that PTI had ended talks due to a restored “direct channel” with other stakeholders. He clarified, “Those PTI looks up to have made it clear that political issues must be resolved between the government and opposition, not elsewhere.”
Next Steps Unclear
The dialogue, which began in December, was seen as a significant step toward defusing political tensions. Three rounds of talks have been held so far, but progress remains limited. The next scheduled meeting on January 28 now appears uncertain.
With PTI’s conditional pause and government officials growing increasingly critical of their tactics, the future of the negotiations remains in doubt. Both sides will need to recalibrate their strategies to break the deadlock and address pressing political challenges.