PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan announced on Thursday that party founder Imran Khan has instructed the leadership to call off talks with the government due to delays in forming judicial commissions to investigate critical incidents.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the government have been engaged in dialogue to reduce political tensions. After two rounds of meetings, the third round was held on January 16, during which the PTI submitted its demands in writing. However, the talks have seen little progress on significant issues, particularly the formation of judicial commissions and the release of PTI prisoners.
Earlier this week, the government assured the PTI that it would respond to the party’s demands, including the formation of judicial commissions, within seven working days. However, speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail after meeting Imran Khan, Barrister Gohar expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to honor its commitment.
“The PTI founder has directed us to end the dialogue process due to the government’s failure to form the judicial commissions,” Gohar said. He added that while the PTI was initially hopeful about the negotiations, the lack of cooperation from the government left the party with no choice but to call off the talks.
Gohar emphasized that the talks could resume if a three-judge judicial commission is formed immediately. He further stated that the PTI, under Imran Khan’s leadership, would continue its struggle through legal and constitutional means, joining hands with other opposition parties to press for their demands.
The judicial commissions were a key PTI demand to investigate the May 9 riots and the November 26 crackdown during the party’s protests. The PTI seeks an in-depth inquiry into the legality of the events surrounding Imran’s arrest on May 9, including the circumstances under which individuals accessed high-security locations and caused property damage. The party also demanded a probe into the alleged human rights violations, media censorship, and internet shutdowns during and after the unrest.
Similarly, the PTI demanded a separate commission to investigate the events from November 24 to 27 during the party’s ‘Final Call’ protest in Islamabad. The inquiry would examine the use of force against protesters, including alleged live ammunition firing, physical assaults, and attempts to suppress information about casualties.
The government had previously urged the PTI to continue its participation in the dialogue process, with Senator Irfan Siddiqui, spokesperson for the government’s negotiation committee, expressing confidence that the opposition would join the next meeting scheduled for January 28. “The dialogue process was initiated by the PTI, and it is illogical for them to skip the next meeting,” Siddiqui remarked.
Despite the assurance, the PTI reiterated its stance of “no commissions, no negotiations,” with PTI leader Omar Ayub taking to the X platform to reinforce the party’s demand. The government, however, has yet to make a final decision regarding the formation of the commissions, leaving the dialogue process in limbo.
Since Imran Khan’s incarceration on August 5, 2023, following several cases, PTI’s relationship with the government has become increasingly strained. Protests organized by the party over the past year often escalated into violence due to state repression, further deepening the political crisis in the country.
