Islamabad, January 24, 2025: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has declined to participate in the fourth round of talks scheduled by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, further stalling negotiations between the government and the opposition. The session is set to take place at 11:45 p.m. on January 28.NA Speaker Sadiq, acting as a mediator, has been facilitating discussions between the two sides.
Senator Irfan Siddiqui, the spokesperson for the government’s negotiation committee, confirmed that PTI had been invited to the meeting. “The PTI has not formally notified us in writing about calling off the talks,” Siddiqui said.
However, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan told reporters that the party would not attend the upcoming meeting. This decision follows PTI’s earlier announcement of withdrawing from dialogue, which Barrister Gohar had attributed to PTI founder Imran Khan.
Senator Siddiqui criticized PTI’s abrupt decision to abandon negotiations, questioning how talks could proceed in such circumstances. “We haven’t called off negotiations, but when one side suddenly walks away, who are we supposed to negotiate with? Should we sit and talk to the walls?” he remarked.
Siddiqui also expressed frustration over PTI’s unpredictability. “One moment, they are ready to negotiate, and the next, someone makes an announcement without even informing the negotiation committee. This isn’t a game of ‘ifs and buts’; there’s a proper process for dialogue,” he said, reiterating that the meeting had been agreed upon for January 28.
In a dramatic shift, Barrister Gohar initially stated that talks were “on hold,” before announcing the party’s complete withdrawal.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Public and Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah dismissed allegations that the government was responsible for halting the negotiations. Rana Sanaullah emphasized, “We joined the dialogue process in good faith and remain open to continuing it, but there’s a structure to these discussions. A party presents its charter of demands, the other responds, and the issues are debated constructively.”
Sanaullah further remarked that PTI’s reliance on external forces to advance its agenda was misplaced. “Those they are counting on will not engage in any political discussions, as this has already been clarified. If they still have doubts, the reality will become evident soon,” he added.
