RAWALPINDI: As the ruling coalition and embattled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have officially entered dialogues, the latter sought government’s “timeframe” in connection with progress on their demands.
Talking to journalists outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, following a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan, the former ruling party’s Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Tuesday said: “There should be progress on our demands within [a specified] time frame.”
“Dialogues should be held within [a specified] timeframe,” he said, quoting the incarcerated PTI founder, who has been behind bars since August last year after he was sentenced in Toshakhana case-I — one of the dozens cases registered against the former premier since his ouster from power in April 2022.
The development came a day after the ruling coalition and the PTI came to table to defuse political tensions in the cash-strapped country. Negotiating committees, formed by the government and the PTI, conducted their much-hyped meeting in a conducive environment and resolved to continue dialogue process.
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, who presided over the meeting, had said that the next session will be held on January 2 and PTI’s team would present a charter of their demands in the huddle.
During his interaction with journalists today, the PTI chairman said that he briefed Khan on their talks with the government. “It was a routine meeting that lasted for half an hour.”
The PTI founder expressed his satisfaction over initiating the negotiation process, he added.
Gohar expressed hope that the government would address their legitimate demands.
Responding to a question, the PTI chairman said that matters related to the civil disobedience movement were not discussed in the meeting.
Earlier this month, the PTI founder had warned the government of launching a “civil disobedience” movement if his demands — the release of “political prisoners” facing trial and the constitution of a judicial commission to probe the events of May 9, 2023 and a late-night crackdown on PTI protesters on November 26, were not met.
“If these two demands are not accepted, a civil disobedience movement will be launched from December 14,” the jailed former premier had said. Later, he, on PTI leaders’ request, differed the movement to give talks a chance.
This is a developing story and is being updated with more details.
