ISLAMABAD: In the second round of negotiations between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the government, PTI was unable to present its much-awaited ‘Charter of Demand.’ The meeting, held on Thursday in Islamabad, was delayed by an hour and ended inconclusively. The key issue preventing the PTI from presenting their demands was their insistence on consulting with PTI founder Imran Khan in Adiala Jail before finalizing the document.
The talks, which resumed after more than a week of political tensions, included a delegation from both sides. On the government side, key figures included Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, and PPP leaders such as Syed Naveed Qamar, while the PTI delegation was led by Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub. Other PTI leaders such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, and others were also part of the discussions.
The PTI delegation reiterated its demand for the release of political prisoners, including Imran Khan, and asked for a judicial commission to investigate the events surrounding the violent protests of May 9 and the crackdown on November 26. However, due to the absence of clear guidance from Imran Khan, the PTI was unable to present a formal ‘Charter of Demand.’
Need for Khan’s Guidance
PTI representatives emphasized the importance of obtaining guidance from Imran Khan before proceeding with the talks. According to Faisal Chaudhry, a member of the PTI legal team, Khan’s permission and instructions were crucial for the finalization of the demand document. They insisted that they would not present the official ‘Charter of Demand’ until they could meet with Khan in jail.
This request for access to Imran Khan was acknowledged by the government side, with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar stating that there was no objection to PTI consulting Khan for the preparation of their demands. The government’s committee expressed hope that PTI would present its demands soon, allowing the negotiations to proceed.
Committee’s Role and Expectations
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, who is facilitating the negotiations, noted that the first round of talks on December 23 had set the groundwork for future discussions. He stressed the importance of dialogue for resolving the country’s political issues, including matters of terrorism and economic challenges. Sadiq highlighted that positive feedback had been received from both parties and expressed optimism that these talks would lead to a resolution.
In the lead-up to the second round of talks, PTI leaders consulted with Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, with party leaders Salman Akram Raja and Ali Zafar meeting with the imprisoned former prime minister. The consultation was centered around finalizing the PTI’s approach for the negotiations. Raja later assured the media that the party remained firm in its stance and would not back down from its demands.
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Imran Khan’s guidance in these negotiations is seen as critical, as he had given the initial approval for talks to begin. The PTI leadership made it clear that they would not present their ‘Charter of Demand’ until they could meet with Khan and seek his direction on the matter.
Next Steps in Negotiations
The second round of talks ended without a formal presentation of the PTI’s demands, but both parties agreed to continue discussions. It was decided that the date for the third round of meetings would be set after the PTI committee has met with Khan in Adiala Jail.
As PTI prepares to consult with its leader, the government expressed its willingness to accommodate PTI’s request and hopes that the next round of negotiations will see progress. The talks have been marked by both sides seeking to reduce political tensions, which have escalated significantly since Khan’s imprisonment and the violent protests that followed.
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