Live Updates: PM Shehbaz forms negotiation committee for PTI talks in National Assembly

The spokesperson for the government’s negotiation committee, Irfan Siddiqui, talked to the media outside the Parliament House and addressed the uncertainty surrounding the fourth round of talks with the opposition.

“If the opposition committee does not attend, it will indicate their final decision to end negotiations,” Siddiqui stated. He further noted that if the meeting does not take place, the government committee will consult on the way forward, as “we cannot keep our seven-party alliance bound indefinitely.”

Siddiqui explained that the government’s negotiation committee is composed of representatives from seven political parties, and if the opposition refuses to participate, dissolving the committee may be considered.

He added that the demand for a commission had been thoroughly discussed within the government’s committee, with extensive consultations held with legal experts. Siddiqui also pointed out that during the first three meetings, the opposition never indicated that they would skip the fourth round of talks.

The fourth round of negotiations has been clouded with uncertainty as the opposition appears unwilling to engage, casting doubts on the future of the dialogue process.

Irfan Siddiqui, the spokesperson for the government negotiation committee, stated that it was not decided in the committee whether a commission would be formed before the fourth round of talks, nor was it mentioned in any official statement.

He emphasized that the PTI leadership had prematurely announced the demand for the creation of a commission.

Siddiqui clarified that the formation of the commission, or the adoption of an alternative mechanism, would be discussed within the committee, and it was still uncertain whether the commission would be established.

He questioned the approach of those insisting on creating a commission immediately, pointing out that negotiations follow a proper process and method, which perhaps the other side is unaware of.

Siddiqui concluded by reaffirming that political negotiations should be conducted by politicians, urging PTI leadership to understand this fundamental principle.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar has stated that the party's founder has put negotiations on hold, emphasizing that seven days were sufficient for the government to announce the commission.

He reiterated PTI's willingness to reconsider if the government makes progress and announces the commission.

Barrister Gohar said to the media, "Seven days were enough to announce the commission. We are ready to reconsider, but the government must take the step of announcing the commission."

Read more: Govt asks PTI to review decision of ending negotiations

He added that PTI participated in the negotiations with an open heart. "The founder of PTI has paused the talks. The government had placed eight laws on their agenda, while we presented only two demands," he noted.

PTI chairman further stated that there has been no progress in establishing the commission even after seven days. He urged the government to review the matter and proceed with the announcement.

The federal government's negotiation team has finalized a detailed written response to the demands presented by PTI.

According to sources, the response addresses each point raised by PTI, including the refusal to form a judicial commission for the May 9 events.

The government clarified that judicial commissions are established for matters not under judicial review, and cases related to May 9 are already being heard in courts, with some individuals sentenced by military courts.

PTI has agreed to negotiate with the Prime Minister's committee. An in-camera session has been scheduled at Parliament House to discuss the matter further.

The written response also seeks detailed lists of missing persons and arrested individuals from PTI, questioning how steps for their release could be taken without proper details. Additionally, PTI’s claims regarding fatalities during protests require substantiating evidence.

The government committee plans to present the written response to National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq in the coming days. The Speaker will decide on holding the fourth round of talks once the response is received.

Prime Minister's Advisor Rana Sanaullah, speaking on SAMAA TV’s program Nadeem Malik Live, emphasized his support for the Charter of Economy and Charter of Democracy.

He highlighted the need for dialogue between political parties and stated that the establishment is not hindering efforts to resolve issues.

Sanaullah mentioned that if PTI convinces the government that only a Supreme Court judge can conduct an inquiry, they will accept it. He added that the release of PTI's founder will be decided through the courts.

Third Force and Missed Opportunities

He claimed that the Charter of Democracy between PPP and PML-N was disrupted by the introduction of a "third force" in politics, which rejected dialogue outright. Sanaullah revealed that PTI was urged in 2018 to join a Charter of Economy but refused. He accused the PTI founder of idealizing Bangladesh's governance model until November 26.

PTI’s Missing Workers

Sanaullah addressed PTI's claims of missing workers, stating that the party has not provided any data or details about them. He noted that during negotiations, PTI alleged that 40 of their workers were injured by gunfire but failed to substantiate claims of missing persons. "If their workers were missing, their families would be questioning their whereabouts," he said.

Military Act and Court Trials

The advisor reiterated that cases registered under the Army Act would be tried in military courts. He pointed out that during PTI's tenure, around 80 people were convicted under the same law. “Anyone attacking military installations will face trial under military courts,” he emphasized.

Dialogue and Negotiations

Sanaullah urged PTI to submit its demands in writing, assuring a written response from the government. He also highlighted the role of Ayaz Sadiq in facilitating meetings between PTI and other parties, adding that Sadiq’s absence from the country caused delays in negotiations.

Call for Political Consensus

Reiterating his support for political consensus, Sanaullah said, "I am a proponent of the Charter of Economy and Charter of Democracy." He concluded by emphasizing the importance of political parties coming together to resolve national issues.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif expressed his support for the ongoing negotiations but emphasized the need for caution and inclusivity during the process.

"I am not against negotiations; I pray for their success," said Khawaja Asif, reiterating his stance in favor of the process. The minister highlighted his earlier suggestion to involve all centers of power in the discussions to ensure meaningful outcomes.

Referring to the PTI chairman, Khawaja Asif remarked, "He claims we have no authority and yet is ready to engage with the establishment through us."

Addressing concerns over remittances, he stated, "Even if there is a call for a boycott, remittances will exceed last month’s figures."

Asif asserted that Pakistan will not compromise on its nuclear and missile programs, stating, "Our defense and foreign policy must align with our national interests and the will of the people."

The minister called on the PTI chairman to take responsibility for the return of the Taliban, indicating the need for accountability.

Khawaja Asif underscored the importance of ensuring national security and sovereignty in light of global and domestic challenges.

Member of the government’s negotiation committee, Rana Sanaullah, expressed confidence in the ongoing dialogue process, stating that successful negotiations require open-minded participation from all parties.

He emphasized that the discussions so far have been positive, but practical implementation of agreed points is essential.

“There are no guarantees in negotiations, but I am 100% confident in their success,” said Rana Sanaullah, highlighting the importance of sincerity and mutual understanding in the dialogue.

During his remarks, Rana Sanaullah stated that no preconditions were set during the talks.

He added that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would present its stance, after which the government would respond to find a middle ground. “Political dialogue involves sitting down, listening to each other, and finding compromises—it is not about accepting every demand outright,” he explained.

Rana Sanaullah acknowledged the history of tensions between the parties but emphasized the need for reconciliation. “The issues being discussed are not new. Both sides have called each other names in the past

However, if the parliamentary democratic system is to move forward, it cannot happen without political dialogue,” he stated.

Referencing past agreements like the Charter of Democracy with the Pakistan Peoples Party, he stressed the need for a similar initiative focused on the economy. “We talked about a Charter of Economy before and are reiterating it today. Just as the Charter of Democracy helped in the past, a Charter of Economy is the need of the hour,” he said.

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) is experiencing an exceptional bullish trend, with the market surging by 3,500 points during trading.

The benchmark KSE-100 Index rose to 113,000 points, reflecting strong market performance.

The PSX has also restored four limits at 110,000, 111,000, 112,000, and 113,000 points, signaling a renewed investor confidence.

Analysts attribute this positive movement to the ongoing talks between the government and the opposition, which have had a favorable impact on market sentiment.

The political dialogue appears to be instilling optimism among investors, contributing to the market's upward momentum.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan assigned on Sunday Barrister Saif the responsibility of uniting opposition parties.

Sources divulged on Sunday that the PTI founder directed Saif to expedite negotiations with opposition leaders under the leadership of Ali Amin Gandapur. Saif had already made phone calls to several key opposition leaders, sources stated.

An important meeting involving opposition parties is expected to take place at the Chief Minister’s House later this week.

It is expected that leaders of the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), including Pir Pagara and Zulfiqar Mirza, will meet with Barrister Saif this week.

The PTI was looking to involve the heads of other major parties, such as Jamaat-e-Islami and JUI-F in the ongoing discussions.

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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram said PTI has accepted Speaker Ayaz Sadiq's invitation to meet on Monday with the nine-member government’s negotiating committee.

“Tomorrow our negotiation committee will go for a meeting,” Sheikh Waqas Akram told media persons in Peshawar.

Waqas Akram said the PTI founder will be informed about the progress of the meeting and the PTI founder will decide whether to cancel the civil disobedience movement later.

“Hopefully the government committee will show seriousness tomorrow,” a PTI spokesperson expressed hope in the negotiations.

“The PTI founder will determine the future strategy,” Waqas Akram said.

What has happened so far in Pakistan’s political landscape in the last 24 hours?

It is pertinent to note following the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announcement of a committee for negotiation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a nine-member negotiating committee to hold talks with the opposition PTI.

Following the announcement, the Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq invited both committees to meeting on Monday at 11 am.

Both the treasury and opposition welcomed the formation of the negotiation committee to chalk out the future framework to end the stalemate in the political landscape of Pakistan.

All eyes are on the first round of the meeting to be held on Monday after much ‘political drama’ in which both sides stood fast to their original positions of not holding talks.

Prime Minister’s legal advisor, Barrister Aqeel Malik, stated that the release of the founder of PTI is not part of the agenda for the ongoing negotiations.

He emphasized that there would be no leniency or deal under the guise of dialogue.

Barrister Aqeel further clarified that the desire for relief related to the events of May 9 could not be granted.

He added that the committee will define the terms of reference (TOR) and the agenda before any further discussions take place.

The legal advisor also stated that negotiations cannot proceed while calls for civil disobedience are being made, underscoring the need for a cooperative approach in the talks.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced the formation of a negotiation committee comprising members of the ruling coalition to address proposals regarding the National Assembly.

The decision comes after PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar requested the Speaker of the National Assembly to play a mediatory role in initiating dialogue.

The committee includes key figures from the government and coalition parties Senator Ishaq Dar, Rana Sanaullah, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Naveed Qamar, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Abdul Aleem Khan, Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Sardar Khalid Magsi.

Barrister Gohar, representing PTI, had earlier urged the Speaker of the National Assembly to mediate talks, emphasizing the importance of resolving political differences through dialogue. He reiterated the need for discussions with PTI, expressing hope that national security and the country’s greater interests would be prioritized.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the Speaker of the National Assembly’s efforts and stressed the need for unity, saying, "Pakistan belongs to all of us, and we must put the nation's interests above all else."

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan formally issued a statement distancing the party from former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry, following the directive of PTI founder Imran Khan.

In his statement, Gohar said: "A meeting took place at Adiala Jail, where PTI’s legal team met Imran Khan. During the meeting, Khan instructed the team to declare public disassociation from Fawad Chaudhry."

Gohar affirmed that PTI had announced the complete disassociation from Fawad Chaudhry.

He said: "Fawad Chaudhry had no association with  the PTI and is not authorised to represent the party on media, social media or television platforms."

Barrister Gohar further stated that Fawad Chaudhry could not present his views as PTI’s stance.

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National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq underscored the importance of dialogue and democratic principles during his media talk after the conclusion of the 18th Speakers Conference on Friday.

Reiterating his commitment to facilitating negotiations, he stated, “If someone comes to us for negotiations, we will play a role. Our doors are open, and we will not refuse anyone.”

Sadiq expressed optimism about resolving political tensions, emphasizing that initiating talks would pave the way for progress. He said, “I am sure that the day negotiations begin, the matter will definitely move forward. We will facilitate quietly and recite Ayatul Kursi and Durood Sharif for everyone’s betterment.” 

He further said that the day the PTI members came to him, they'd discuss negotiations, adding that they could not force people to come and talk. "For the betterment, we will plead with whomever we have to. The day negotiations begin, a path ahead will start being built." 

The speaker also urged the government and opposition to prioritise the formation of a Public Accounts Committee. He declared, “If they fail to do so, I will form the committee myself.”

The speaker noted that their job was to facilitate the parliamentary members, adding that his doors were open for everyone. "Speakers issue production orders and will also get them implemented," he stressed. 

Highlighting institutional reforms, Sadiq announced significant changes to the National Assembly Secretariat. “Officers below Grade 20 will not be taken on deputation. The authority of the speaker in recruitments has been abolished, and decisions will now be made by the Finance Committee,” he said.

These measures aim to strengthen the NA Secretariat as an independent institution. On the 18th Speakers Conference, Sadiq thanked participants for their commitment to upholding the Constitution and parliamentary supremacy.

“We will continue to work for the supremacy of parliament and democracy. Difference of opinion is the beauty of democracy,” he remarked. The next conference will be hosted by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, and AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan will become members of the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS).

Gilani calls for unity and stability

Following the conference, Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani, while addressing journalists, echoed the sentiments shared at the Speakers Conference. He lauded the 18th Amendment for promoting national stability and empowering smaller provinces.

“The decisions under this amendment should be implemented for sustained political stability,” he said. 

Gilani also stressed the need for an economic pact and acknowledged the relevance of Artificial Intelligence in modern governance. “Difference of opinion is the beauty of democracy, but it should not harm the country,” he added, emphasizing the importance of unity in diversity.

Both leaders called for increased efforts on pressing public issues, including environmental change. Sadiq highlighted the need for a “charter” to ensure that Parliament functions ethically and in alignment with established rules.