The fourth round of negotiations between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) remains uncertain as the PTI has refused to participate, citing unmet demands and lack of progress on key issues.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has called a meeting of the negotiating committees at Parliament House on January 28 (today). In preparation, Sadiq contacted PTI leaders Omer Ayub and Asad Qaiser, extending an invitation once again.

However, the PTI has made it clear they will not attend the meeting, accusing the government of failing to fulfil their demand for the formation of a judicial commission on the incidents of May 9, 2023 and November 26, 2024.

PTI’s stance

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar stated, "We will not participate in a photo session for mere greetings. This is a serious matter, and no steps have been taken by the government to address our demands within the agreed seven-day timeframe."

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He further added, "The negotiations have ended for us as the government has shown no intention of resolving such important issues. The government neither announced anything, nor did it take any other step."

The PTI had earlier presented a charter of demands during the third round of talks held on January 16, emphasizing the need for an independent judicial commission to investigate the aforementioned incidents.

Govt response

Senator Irfan Siddiqui, spokesperson for the government’s negotiating committee, expressed disappointment over the PTI’s stance.

"They are violating the agreed timeline of seven days, which ends today. We have fulfilled our part of the agreement, and it is up to them to decide if they wish to cooperate. If the PTI does not attend the meeting, the matter will be settled; we will submit a written response to the NA speaker and move forward," he remarked. 

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Irfan Siddiqui stressed that the government would no longer reach out to the PTI, stating, "We will not call or plead with anyone."

Background

The dialogue between the government and the PTI began in December following an initiative by NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq with an offer for cooperation. The first meeting was held on December 23, followed by the second round on January 2. During the third meeting on January 16, the PTI submitted its demands, including the judicial commission.

However, the lack of progress in addressing these demands has derailed the negotiation process.