Several PTI committee members didn\u2019t attend meeting
\n Islamabad
\nThe long-awaited negotiations between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have commenced in Islamabad on Monday.
\nThe talks, aimed at addressing the country\u2019s ongoing political challenges, took place at the Parliament House.
\nNational Assembly (NA) Speaker Ayaz Sadiq presided over the meeting, which was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, PM\u2019s Adviser Rana Sanaullah, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, PPP leaders Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Naveed Qamar, and MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar.
\nOn the PTI side, the delegation included former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.
\nHowever, key PTI members Omar Ayub, Ali Amin, and Salman Akram Raja skipped today\u2019s session due to prior commitments, including court appearances and international trips.
\nSpeaking to the media upon his arrival at Parliament House, Irfan Siddiqui expressed optimism, saying, \u201cWe are participating with good intentions and a focus on Pakistan\u2019s development and prosperity. By setting aside the past, we hope for positive outcomes from these talks.\u201d
\nSpeaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, highlighted the importance of senior members\u2019 involvement as a testament to the seriousness of the ongoing negotiations.
\n\u201cI am grateful to all members for forming the committee. The presence of senior figures underscores the gravity of these discussions. I hope the dialogue will focus on Pakistan\u2019s betterment. Every issue finds its solution through negotiations,\u201d Sadiq stated.
\nNext PTI-govt meeting on Jan 2
\nDuring negotiations with the government, PTI has presented initial demands, including the release of all detainees, including Imran Khan, and the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the events of May 9 and the D-Chowk firing incident on November 26.
\nSpeaking to the media following the meeting, Asad Qaiser said PTI conveyed its stance clearly. \u201cWe have demanded the release of all prisoners, including Imran Khan, and called for the formation of a judicial commission. We will present a complete charter of demands on 2 January,\u201d he said.
\nHe added that the party had also requested contact with Imran Khan, a demand the government accepted. \u201cWe discussed the release of workers detained in prisons. Today\u2019s discussion was preliminary; formal negotiations will commence on 2 January,\u201d Asad Qaiser stated.
\nSIC chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza clarified that PTI is not seeking any unconstitutional relief but rather a fact-finding mission. \u201cWe want investigations into the events of May 9 and November 26. We are advocating for the release of political prisoners,\u201d he said.
\nHe added that the release of political detainees is incomplete without Imran Khan. \u201cThe government has all the authority to fulfil our demands. We have also called for the formation of a judicial commission,\u201d Hamid Raza emphasised.
\nWhen asked by a journalist whether all PTI\u2019s demands would be accepted, Hamid Raza replied, \u201cThis is just the beginning; how can I comment on the conclusion?\u201d
\nIt should be noted here that Imran had put forward his two demands: release of under-trial political prisoners and a judicial investigation into the May 9 incidents and the November 26 crackdown on PTI protesters, otherwise a civil disobedience movement would be launched.
\nHowever, the government side had been dragging its feet on the issue of the talks with the opposition, saying that the negotiations could not take place with pre-conditions and under the shadow of any threat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Several PTI committee members didn\u2019t attend meeting Islamabad The long-awaited negotiations between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have commenced in Islamabad on Monday. The talks, aimed at addressing the country\u2019s ongoing political challenges, took place at the Parliament House. National Assembly (NA) Speaker Ayaz Sadiq presided over the meeting, which was attended by Deputy […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":451244,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-451238","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n