Information Minister Attaullah Tarar criticized the PTI’s decision to call off the negotiations, saying the government was considering “common ground” by proposing a committee instead of a judicial commission.
“There is no need to constitute a commission…we deliberated on common ground to move things forward,” Tarar said during an appearance on a private news channel on Thursday. He accused the PTI of acting with “malicious intent” and taking a “hasty decision”.
“Our response to PTI’s demands was coming,” he said, adding that “extensive discussions” were held on the issue. He further criticized the party, saying: “They should have found a legitimate excuse to prove that they were victims. Now the responsibility lies with them.”
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has called off negotiations with the PML-N-led government, citing its failure to form a judicial commission within the promised seven-day deadline.
Speaking to the media outside Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, lawyer Gohar Ali Khan, president of the PTI, said the decision was taken after Khan expressed frustration over the inaction of the government.
“The PTI founder categorically announced that no further round of talks would take place,” Gohar said. “The government has made announcements but has not yet followed through, which is why Imran Khan has decided to end the negotiations.”
The talks, which began in December 2024 to reduce political tensions, have had three sessions so far but have made little progress.
The PTI had demanded the formation of two judicial commissions – one to probe the May 9, 2023 riots and another to probe the November 26, 2024 crackdown on PTI supporters in Islamabad. The party also called for the release of “political prisoners”.
