Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Friday said negotiations with the government were suspended by party founder Imran Khan due to the government’s failure to respond to the demands of the party.
Speaking to the media in Parliament, Gohar explained that the PTI had made two specific demands, but no steps had been taken to establish judicial commissions within the agreed time frame of seven days.
“Imran Khan has suspended negotiations, but the government could at least announce that the commission is in preparation,” he told reporters.
He stressed that seven days were enough to announce the formation of the commission.
Gohar said the PTI may reconsider the negotiations if the government goes ahead with the formation of a commission to probe the May 9 and November 26 incidents.
He added that Imran Khan had given a deadline of seven days for the announcement, which he said was enough to demonstrate the government’s sincerity.
“The lack of progress reveals their true intentions,” Gauhar said, reiterating the pti’s willingness to engage in open-hearted negotiations.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan yesterday called off negotiations with the government, citing its inability to form a judicial commission within the agreed seven-day deadline.
The announcement was made by lawyer Gohar Ali Khan, president of PTI, after meeting Imran Khan at Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, where the party founder has been detained for over a year.
Speaking to reporters, Barrister Gohar said, “The PTI founder has categorically announced that no further round of negotiations will take place. The government’s inability to keep its commitments leaves no reason to continue negotiations.”
The government and the PTI had started talks in late December to reduce political tensions, holding three sessions without much progress.
The PTI’s demands included the formation of two judicial commissions to investigate the May 9 riots and events during the November 2024 protests, as well as the release of political prisoners.
The judicial commissions, according to the PTI, should consist of three senior judges from the Supreme Court or high courts, and the proceedings would be open to the public and the media.
The government criticized the PTI’s “rigid attitude”, with Rana Sanaullah, aide to the prime minister, saying: “Negotiations are not a decree.” National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq also stressed the need for compromise, warning that progress requires flexibility on both sides.
