The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) negotiation committee declared on Sunday progress in talks with the government contingent on the establishment of a judicial commission after meeting with party founder Imran Khan.
According to details, on Sunday, the long-awaited meeting took place, following the third round of stalled government-opposition talks.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur met the PTI founder for an hour and a half in a one-on-one session within Adiala jail’s conference room. Meanwhile, the remaining committee members were kept in the administrative block with four other visitors.
Later, the PTI founder held a one-hour meeting with all five committee members. Gandapur left immediately afterward, but the other members addressed the media outside the jail.
They revealed that two of the seven-member committee, Salman Akram Raja and Hamid Khan, had not attended the meeting, having informed the committee the previous night of their absence.
– Hamid Raza voices concerns about meeting environment –
Speaking to the press, Sahibzada Hamid Raza Khan, a member of the PTI negotiation committee, expressed dissatisfaction with the controlled environment of the meeting. “We held detailed discussions with the party founder, but it was in a restricted setting,” said Raza.
He said that the PTI founder had provided specific guidelines regarding the ongoing talks, emphasising the necessity of forming a neutral commission to investigate the events of 9 May and 26 November. “We are advocating for a commission composed of the senior-most judges of the Supreme Court,” he stated.
According to Raza, the committee informed the government about its readiness for the next round of discussions.
“The government must come prepared for a judicial commission. This is the first step, and without its formation, negotiations cannot proceed," he added.
Raza said, "The ball is now in the government’s court. We have shown all possible flexibility, and the deadline remains 31 January, as only the party founder holds the authority to extend it.”
– Khan prioritises workers’ release over personal freedom –
Raza also claimed that the PTI founder had also prioritised the release of the detained PTI workers, while "refraining from advocating" for his own release.
“This demand comes from his supporters and our committee, not from him. He [PTI founder] has made it clear that he will face the cases against him and will not seek any executive orders or NROs for his release.”
Discussing potential outcomes, Raza said, “If the verdict on the £190 million reference goes against us, tensions will escalate. However, the PTI founder has given us full authority, and opposition leader Omar Ayub will sign the charter of demand.”
