RAWALPINDI: In a critical development, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) negotiation team has finally received permission to meet the party’s founder and incarcerated chairman, Imran Khan, at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi today. The meeting, scheduled for 2:30 pm, follows intense political maneuvering and protracted delays.
Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza confirmed the meeting, which will also include prominent PTI figures such as former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja, and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) head Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.
Government-PTI Negotiations in Deadlock
The meeting aims to break the impasse in ongoing government-PTI negotiations. These talks, crucial for addressing political disputes, have stalled since the second session on January 2, 2025, as PTI leaders insisted on consulting Khan before submitting their demands.
The discussions were delayed further due to the unavailability of National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, who recently concluded a foreign trip. However, Sadiq clarified on Saturday that arranging the meeting falls within the government’s jurisdiction, not his.
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Key Issues and Demands
The PTI is pushing for several demands, including:
- The release of Imran Khan and arrested party workers.
- The formation of a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 riots and November 26 protests.
- A “logical conclusion” to the talks by January 31, 2025, a deadline the government seeks to extend.
SIC chief Raza emphasized that further dialogue hinges on fulfilling these demands, particularly the formation of the judicial commission. “If the government doesn’t accept this, a fourth round of talks is highly unlikely,” Raza remarked.
Tensions Within Negotiations
Despite hopes for progress, PTI leaders have accused Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) figures Maryam Nawaz and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif of undermining the dialogue process. Asif, however, dismissed the claims, stating that facilitating the meeting would ensure the negotiations proceed smoothly.
Imran Khan’s Role in the Talks
Imran Khan has remained at the center of PTI’s political strategy, even from behind bars. His approval of the party’s charter of demands and guidance for future negotiations are seen as pivotal for moving forward. PTI negotiator Senator Abbas underscored the need for an uninterrupted and surveillance-free meeting to discuss pressing issues comprehensively.
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