ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the government’s negotiation teams are expected to hold their third round of talks on Wednesday. This follows the anticipated meeting between PTI’s negotiation team and party chairman Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, aimed at resolving the ongoing political crisis.
Deadlock in Talks
Sources revealed that Speaker Ayaz Sadiq recently held a telephonic conversation with Opposition Leader Omar Ayub and former NA Speaker Asad Qaiser. The discussion followed complaints from PTI negotiators about being denied access to meet Imran Khan, a meeting deemed essential for advancing talks.
While reiterating that arranging such meetings was not his responsibility, Speaker Sadiq assured the PTI team of his efforts to facilitate their meeting with Khan. Subsequently, Sadiq reached out to government representatives to arrange the interaction.
Planned Negotiations
The sources indicated that the meeting with Imran Khan could take place in the next two days, enabling the third round of negotiations to proceed as planned. During this session, the PTI is expected to present its written demands.
Ayaz Sadiq emphasized his role as a facilitator, stating that it was up to the government and its allies to decide on granting the requested meeting. He clarified that he would convene talks on short notice once both sides reached a consensus.
PTI’s Position
PTI leaders criticized the government for failing to facilitate the meeting, questioning its authority to conduct meaningful talks. They accused the ruling coalition of stalling progress and expressed skepticism about the government’s sincerity in resolving the deadlock.
The PTI’s negotiation team has yet to present its charter of demands, citing the need to consult with Imran Khan beforehand. The party also alleged that PML-N leaders Maryam Nawaz and Khawaja Asif were attempting to derail the negotiation process.
Background and Challenges
The talks, which began on December 23, aim to address longstanding disputes between the government and PTI. However, limited progress has been made, with both sides meeting twice so far. The PTI’s initial delay in presenting its demands was linked to the awaited judgment in the £190 million corruption case involving Imran Khan.
PTI leader Shoaib Shaheen questioned the government’s authority in the negotiation process, suggesting that the party engage directly with “powerful stakeholders.” Meanwhile, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram maintained that all communication must go through the speaker’s office.
Despite the challenges, PTI has committed to continuing talks, even if Imran Khan faces a conviction in the pending case. However, party leaders warned that no substantial progress could be made without the critical meeting between Khan and the negotiation committee.
The political landscape remains tense as both sides navigate the complexities of resolving their disputes through dialogue.
