The second round of negotiations between the government and opposition committees to resolve pressing political issues was held today in Islamabad, chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.

The session began with Speaker Ayaz Sadiq welcoming the participants and emphasizing his role as a facilitator. He praised the positive tone of the first meeting and expressed hope for continued constructive engagement. He further said that the issues discussed in the first meeting were implemented and hoped both parties conducted the negotiations positively.

"Efforts are being made to discuss important issues faced by the country. We are all Pakistanis; we will all have to play a responsible role in solving these problems," he maintained. 

Briefing the participants after the meeting, Ayaz Sadiq noted the meeting was held in a pleasant atmosphere, while the opposition members sought for more time for consultations. "KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur discussed issues in detail. The next round of talks will be held again next week," he announced. 

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah, federal minister Abdul Aleem Khan, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, former National Assembly speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and MNAs Syed Naveed Qamar, Dr. Farooq Sattar, Ijazul Haq, Khalid Magsi. 

Opposition Leader in the NA Omer Ayub Khan, the KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur, senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser, MNA Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Raja Nasir Abbas and Salman Akram Raja also attended the meeting. 

Opposition's demands

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) presented two primary demands:

1. Establishment of a judicial commission to investigate the incidents of May 9, 2023 and November 26, 2024.
2. Release of political prisoners, including the PTI founder and workers, with assurances that no new cases would be registered against them. Moreover, the party also demanded the existing cases against the PTI be implemented according to court verdicts. 

Govt response to PTI demands

Later, Senator Irfan Siddiqui of the PML-N read out a joint statement issued after the meeting. He stated that the PTI had demanded the government not obstruct any guarantees agreed upon. PTI Founder Imran Khan has backed the negotiation process and his party would present a written charter of demands in the next meeting. 

Irfan Siddiqui also held a press briefing where he told the media that the PTI side maintained they wanted to consult and take guidance from the party founder at every step of the negotiations. He further said the government did not take any steps yet to advance the negotiations, adding that the PTI side showed no bitterness this time. 

The senator said the opposition’s committee highlighted the importance of dialogue in strengthening democracy and stabilizing the nation. One of the things decided in the first meeting was to pay no heed to judicial decisions, statements, and talk shows. 

The PTI had demanded extending the talks by a week, Siddiqui said, adding that the government has not yet asked for time for consultations. "The ball is still in the PTI's court," he stated, adding that it remains to be seen whether prisoners had been released under executive orders in the past. 

"We will seek legal advice on the demand for the release of prisoners. The PTI ruled for four and a half years, it knows the issues very well. During the PTI era, the PML-N leadership, including Rana Sanaullah, remained imprisoned, yet none was released under executive orders," he recalled. 

He further told the media that the PTI did not talk about the 26th Constitutional Amendment, and neither was Imran Khan's participation in the negotiations discussed. "There has been no demand to release the PTI founder on parole for negotiations. If such a demand comes up, the legal department and the Interior Ministry will provide input," he concluded. 

Before the meeting, Siddiqui had said that the PTI’s demands would be reviewed in light of the Constitution, traditions, and legal frameworks. He added that it would take at least a week for the government to react after the PTI presents its demands. "We will have to go to our leadership to discuss the demands as well as consult lawyers," he added. 

'No offer to shift Imran to Bani Gala'

Later after the meeting, Adviser to the PM for Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah reiterated the importance of dialogue between the government and the opposition during a press conference. He underscored that democracy thrives on dialogue, not deadlocks, and expressed optimism about recent developments in discussions with the PTI.

“Today, Ali Amin Gandapur adopted a positive approach, emphasizing the resolution of issues through talks,” Sanaullah stated, highlighting the necessity of written demands from the PTI, ensuring that responses would be provided in writing as well. He also noted that whatever happens will proceed with the approval of the party leadership. 

When asked by a journalist about the possibility of PTI Founder Imran Khan being offered to move to Bani Gala, Sanaullah dismissed the notion, saying, “According to my information, no such offer has been made.”

Rana Sanaullah said the PTI discussed the release of its detained workers, clarifying that the release fell under judicial purview, adding, “The responsibility lies with the courts, not the government.” He noted that opposition leader Omer Ayub said the government should not become an obstacle in the release of the PTI workers. 

When a journalist asked if some individuals accused of involvement in the events of May 9 had been pardoned as a result of the ongoing negotiations, the former minister remarked that the military punishes and pardons under its legal framework. He hinted that appeals for others remain under consideration and they could get relief as well.

Sanaullah pointed out that PTI members often resort to strong public statements to appease their social media supporters. However, he maintained that the government remains focused on resolving matters through transparent and constructive dialogue, with all actions subject to party leadership's approval.

Former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf called for unity, saying, "In these uncertain times, all political parties must sit together because Pakistan comes first."

Encouraging progress

After the meeting, KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur emphasized the importance of open and transparent discussions, stating, "The government has formed a negotiation committee, signaling their intent to address the issues. If our demands are accepted, the path to resolution will be clear." 

Referring to the decades-old Kurram issue, Gandapur highlighted the progress made through consultation. “The issues of Karam are not recent; they have been ongoing for 50 years. Today, we have amicably resolved them with mutual agreement,” he added.

Gandapur praised the democratic process, saying, “Our workers have shed their blood for true democracy and freedom. The state, like a mother, must nurture and resolve issues democratically.” He also noted that negotiations were initiated on the directives of the party’s founding chairman, who would ultimately decide the strategy moving forward.

Meanwhile, Sahibzada Hamid Raza and Salman Akram Raja said they raised concerns about missing persons and the November 26 incident. Raza remarked, “We brought up these critical issues to ensure they are part of the negotiation process.”

Raja assured that external matters, including the decision involving 190 million pounds, would not influence the talks. “We will not allow any external decisions to derail the negotiation process. Dar Sahib has clarified that the government does not have additional demands,” he said.

Both sides acknowledged that the negotiations were still in their initial stages, with Hamid Raza pointing out, “There are ups and downs, but the dialogue is progressing.”

The discussions also touched on the release of May 9 detainees, a development Gandapur described as “a positive step.” He reiterated his commitment to transparency, stating, “I am not a backdoor negotiator; I am an open book.”