Pakistan Muslim Legaue-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Senator Irfan Siddiqui criticised on Tuesday the opposition for the protracted delay in presenting its demands, over 20 days since the commencement of talks.
Speaking to journalists in Islamabad, spokesperson for the government’s negotiation committee said: "The opposition took ample time for their deliberations, and we will also require time to respond. However, our reaction will not take as long."
He added that the coalition political parties were actively contributing to the committee’s proceedings.
Siddiqui emphasised the necessity of consulting party leaders and the prime minister before providing a formal response.
"The opposition’s written demands are expected the day after tomorrow, but if they believe we will respond on December 16, that will not be possible," he asserted.
Siddiqui stressed the importance of establishing the type of commission and its terms of reference. "We will not tie the negotiations to any specific deadline and will keep the doors of dialogue open beyond 31 January," he said.
"If the PTI announces an end to the talks, we will deliberate on our next course of action," Siddiqui maintained.
