Pakistan Govt, PTI unable to 'see eye to eye' on dialogue
Despite some progress in negotiations between the Pakistan government and the opposition, talks between the ruling coalition and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have hit a stumbling block over disagreements on procedural matters.
A key issue has emerged regarding the demand for unrestricted access to PTI founder Imran Khan, following an earlier consensus to submit written demands.
On Wednesday, PTI's interim chairman, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, revealed after meeting Imran Khan at Adiala Jail that the party’s founder had approved the submission of PTI's demands to the government’s negotiation committee in writing, marking a positive outcome of the initial discussions.
However, PTI leaders expressed strong concerns about the “monitored” nature of their meetings with Imran Khan inside the jail. Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub, insisted on an unmonitored meeting, stating, “Our current meetings with Imran Khan are conducted in a confined space under surveillance with cameras and listening devices. This compromises the confidentiality and integrity of our discussions, which is unacceptable.”
In response, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, the government committee’s spokesperson, criticized the PTI’s demand for an unrestricted meeting, calling it impractical under existing prison regulations. “They want their meeting with Imran Khan to take place in an open area without surveillance or the presence of jail officials. Such conditions cannot be accommodated within the framework of jail rules,” he stated.
Senator Siddiqui also pointed out that PTI’s negotiation team, formed over a month ago on December 5, appeared unprepared for meaningful dialogue. Additionally, he noted that a recent tweet from Imran Khan criticizing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had further strained the negotiation process.
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