Reports that the government is getting ready to respond to PTI’s requests are denied.
At this crucial point in the ongoing negotiations between the government and the PTI, differences regarding the creation of a judicial committee pose a threat to the process’s success. The PTI has given the commission seven days to be formed, and if the demand is not met, more discussions would be put on hold.
The media reports that suggested a prepared answer to the PTI’s charter of demands were rejected by Senator Irfan Siddiqui, the spokesperson for the government’s negotiation team. Discussions among coalition parties are still in progress, Siddiqui explained, adding that the subcommittee charged with preparing the response has not yet met.
Party founder Imran Khan has given the order that the fourth meeting with the government committee will not be held if the panel is not created within seven days, according to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan. Noting instances from India’s courts, such as investigations into the Babri Masjid issue, he also urged the creation of a judicial panel.
He said, “If commissions can be established for cases like this, why not for ours?” and added that the committee spokesperson was in charge of ensuring the negotiations went well.
The PTI is also angry about reports that the government negotiation team is preparing a response to its requests and that a judicial committee would not be formed because of ongoing court proceedings.
Hamid Raza, the spokesperson for the PTI’s negotiation team, emphasized the January 31 deadline for concluding talks and reaffirmed that the party will not tolerate any postponement in accepting its demands.
Position of the government
Irfan Siddiqui, a senator for the PML-N, called the allegations of a written response to the PTI demands absurd in an exclusive interview with Samaa TV. A meeting is anticipated within the next two days, he said, adding that “no response has been finalized because the sub-committee has not yet met.” “There is no truth to the media reports regarding our response.”
Before releasing a consensus response, Siddiqui also underlined the government’s pledge to confer with all seven coalition partners.
He added that the legal issues surrounding ongoing court disputes have left the creation of a judicial panel up in the air. “Nothing has been finalized yet, and rumours only add confusion,” said Siddiqui.
The finalized response will be presented for leadership approval after the subcommittee’s work is finished. “We had agreed to provide our response within seven working days,” Siddiqui explained.
A fourth round of negotiations following January 27 or 28 was also alluded to by Siddiqui. It is anticipated that both sides would confer with their leaders before to deciding on their stances.
Irfan Siddiqui also suggested that Barrister Gohar join the opposition’s negotiation committee, questioning why the party chairman was not included in it. “The party chairman can still play a significant role even without being a formal member of the committee,” Siddiqui stated.
He emphasized that as the party chairman, Barrister Gohar holds a crucial position, and it is his responsibility to contribute to making the negotiations successful. Siddiqui further acknowledged his own responsibility in ensuring the success of the talks and expressed confidence in meeting the opposition’s expectations.