PTI-Govt Talks to Resume Jan 2, Opposition to Submit Written Demands

Lahore (Sahiwal Updates)

Formal negotiations between the government and the opposition have begun, with both sides agreeing to continue discussions.

The next meeting is scheduled for January 2, where the opposition will present a written Charter of Demands.

Seven members from the government and three from PTI participated in the talks.

Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Opposition Leader Umar Ayub, Hamid Khan, and Salman Akram Raja were not part of the discussions.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed hope that the talks would lead to positive progress for the broader national interest, emphasizing that the country’s interests are paramount, with national security being a key consideration.

According to the joint statement following the meeting, both negotiation committees described the session as a positive development.

The opposition committee outlined its initial demands. The meeting also paid tribute to the martyrs who lost their lives in the war against terrorism, expressing a firm resolve to stand united in the fight against terrorism.

Asad Qaiser claimed that the government had accepted their demand to arrange a meeting with the founder of PTI.

He also presented initial demands related to the release of prisoners, including Imran Khan, and the formation of a judicial commission regarding the D-Chowk firing incident.

Sahibzada Hamid Raza stated that they would not back down from their demands, and the government would have to answer whether the establishment is on board.

Prime Minister’s advisor Rana Sanaullah remarked that it’s impossible for either side to fully accept the other’s demands, and that negotiations would have to find a middle ground. There is no guarantee in the talks.

Farooq Sattar suggested that PTI should not miss the opportunity for dialogue, while Sardar Ayaz Sadiq stated that he was unaware of the establishment’s approval of the negotiations.

He added that the discussions were for the sake of Pakistan, and the invitation for dialogue was made with good intentions.

He also noted that his role is to facilitate but not to provide access to Imran Khan.

The meeting included discussions about the past, present, and future. All participants agreed that everyone must work together for the betterment of Pakistan.

The negotiations officially began with a recitation from the Holy Quran in Committee Room 5 of the Parliament House.

The government committee included Ishaq Dar, Rana Sanaullah, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Syed Naveed Qamar, Farooq Sattar, Abdul Aleem Khan, and Chaudhry Salik Hussain, while the PTI negotiation team consisted of Asad Qaiser, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.

Omar Ayub could not attend due to his court appearance, and Hamid Khan was absent due to a visit to Bangladesh. Salman Akram Raja also did not attend the meeting.

Before the talks with PTI, the government coalition leaders held a separate meeting to strategize.

Afterward, Senator Irfan Siddiqui read a joint statement, saying that the opposition had presented an initial outline in the talks.

This was the first session of negotiations, and both sides described it as a positive development. In the next session, the opposition will present detailed demands in the form of documents.

Both sides agreed that the talks should continue. The next meeting of the negotiation committees will be on January 2.

Before the talks with PTI, members of the government committee met with Ayaz Sadiq.

After the meeting, Asad Qaiser spoke to the media, stating that they had presented their position firmly, demanding the release of all prisoners, including Imran Khan, the formation of a judicial commission, and a request to facilitate contact with Imran Khan.

He confirmed that the government had accepted the demand for a meeting with Imran Khan, and formal negotiations would begin on January 2.