Islamabad, January 28, 2025: Efforts to bridge the political divide between the government and the opposition faced another setback on Tuesday when the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) failed to attend a scheduled meeting of the government’s negotiation committee.
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq announced the postponement of the meeting, emphasizing that while the committee remains intact, the absence of PTI representatives rendered further discussions meaningless.
“We waited for 45 minutes but received a message that they would not come,” Sadiq said, adding that PTI leaders had informed him they needed to consult their top leadership before deciding on their participation.
Despite the setback, Sadiq reiterated his commitment to dialogue, stating, “My doors remain open, and I hope talks can proceed from both sides.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who was present at the meeting, expressed disappointment over PTI’s absence.
“We came ready to discuss their concerns, but without their presence, how can we respond?” he said. Dar reaffirmed the government’s willingness to address PTI’s demands and resolve political differences through negotiations.
According to sources, Speaker Sadiq had personally reached out to Leader of the Opposition and PTI negotiation committee head Omar Ayub, inviting the party to participate in the talks. Sadiq stressed the importance of dialogue as the only viable solution to political conflicts.
However, Ayub informed Sadiq that PTI’s decision to boycott the meeting was made under the direction of party founder Imran Khan. Ayub accused the government of using delaying tactics and failing to address PTI’s key demand—the formation of a judicial commission.
“The government has been stalling on our demands. Without the formation of a judicial commission, there can be no progress in negotiations,” Ayub reportedly stated.
The postponement of the fourth round of talks underscores the widening gulf between the ruling coalition and the opposition. While the government remains optimistic about resuming dialogue, PTI’s absence signals growing challenges in achieving consensus on resolving political differences.
