Islamabad, January 23, 2025: The government has expressed disappointment over Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) abrupt decision to withdraw from ongoing negotiations, urging the party to reconsider its stance as the January 28 deadline for key discussions approaches.
While talking to media outside parliament on Thursday, Irfan Siddiqui, spokesperson for the government’s negotiation committee, called PTI’s move “unfortunate” and emphasized that the seven-day deadline for addressing PTI’s demands was still valid.
“PTI had presented a series of demands, but they have not given due consideration to the government’s responses,” Siddiqui stated.
PTI’s decision to end talks came after party chairman Imran Khan, who remains incarcerated, expressed frustration over the government’s failure to form a judicial commission within the agreed timeframe. Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, PTI’s spokesperson, cited the lack of progress on this demand and other unmet commitments as reasons for terminating the discussions.
Siddiqui provided an overview of the negotiations to the media, which began in late December to address rising political tensions. Three rounds of talks have been held so far, with limited progress on PTI’s key demands.
These demands include the establishment of two judicial commissions: one to investigate the May 9, 2023, riots and another to probe incidents related to PTI’s protests in Islamabad from November 24 to November 27, 2024.
Siddiqui stressed that the government had been actively working on PTI’s proposals. A sub-committee comprising members from seven allied parties was preparing a comprehensive written response.
Expressing confusion over PTI’s sudden withdrawal, Siddiqui questioned the rationale behind ending talks with only a few days left until the deadline. “This decision seems premature and unwarranted,” he remarked.
He also defended the government’s approach during the negotiations, highlighting its restraint in dealing with PTI’s civil disobedience campaigns and controversial social media activity.
Siddiqui urged PTI to reconsider its decision and encouraged its leadership to return to the table for constructive dialogue. He hinted that leaders within PTI, beyond Imran Khan’s immediate influence, might still be open to continuing the discussions.
