Islamabad, January 15, 2025: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has categorically rejected claims that it is seeking an amnesty or Non-Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) through its ongoing negotiations with the government.
Speaking in the Senate, senior PTI leader Ali Zafar stated, “PTI is not seeking an NRO. The cases against Imran Khan are ‘open and shut,’ and we will continue fighting them in courts.” Zafar clarified that the party’s discussions with the government are unrelated to these legal matters.
Negotiations between the government and PTI, initiated on December 27, 2024, and followed by a second session on January 2, 2025, are set to resume on Thursday. The third round of talks, called by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, will take place at the Parliament House. PTI has set a January 31 deadline for the talks to reach a “logical conclusion,” demanding the release of political prisoners and the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 riots and November 26 protests.
While the government criticized PTI’s delay in submitting written demands, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan confirmed that the demands would soon be documented, expressing optimism about the negotiations.
In the Senate session, Zafar also addressed the £190 million reference involving PTI founder Imran Khan. He questioned the focus on Imran Khan and his wife, while the decision regarding the funds had been taken collectively by the cabinet. “If there was a crime, the entire cabinet should be held accountable, not just Imran Khan,” he argued.
Zafar highlighted that the UK government had ruled the £190 million was not linked to criminal activity, leading to the funds being unfrozen. He reiterated that no evidence has been presented to prove the money was obtained through illegitimate means, adding, “If this is not proven to be criminal money, then the case ends.”
He further raised questions about a London property owned by Hassan Nawaz, son of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, asking for transparency about the source of funds for its purchase.
The much-anticipated verdict in the £190 million reference is scheduled for January 17, following multiple delays.
