PTI to quit talks if judicial commission not announced today

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced that it will quit talks with the federal government if the judicial commission is not announced today, ARY News reported.

Speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail after meeting Imran Khan, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said that Imran Khan directed that negotiations can continue if a three-member judges commission is formed to probe the May 9 riots and November 26 protests.

Barrister Gohar Ali Khan stated that the government had been given seven days to announce the judicial commission. However, with no announcement made yet, the PTI has decided to pull out of the talks. Khan expressed disappointment over the government’s lack of response, citing the deep-seated political differences between the two sides.

Despite this, Khan left room for negotiation, stating that if a three-member judges commission is formed, talks can resume. The PTI chairman that the party will continue to work within the bounds of the constitution and law.

Additionally, Khan directed the party to work jointly with opposition parties to pursue their goals.

It is worth mentioning here that the government negotiation committee will provide a written response to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on judicial commission formation demand by January 28.

According to spokesperson for the government committee Irfan Siddiqui, the response will address the PTI’s demands, including the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 riots.

Also read: PTI refuses next sitting of talks until Commission’s announcement

The government committee has been reviewing the PTI’s charter of demands and has sought legal opinions on the matter. While the committee has not yet made a decision on the formation of a judicial commission, consultations will continue, and several issues are under consideration.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf presented its demands during the third round of negotiations and called for the establishment of two Commissions of Inquiry. The first to investigate the events of May 9 and the legality of PTI’s chairman’s arrest, while the second examines incidents occurring between November 24 and 27, 2024 during the PTI’s protest in Islamabad.