First round of talks: PTI insists on Imran Khan's release

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) urged the government to release former Prime Minister Imran Khan, along with other party leaders and workers who are incarcerated in various cases.

PTI also demanded to establish a judicial commission to investigate the firing incidents during the party's protest on May 9 and November 26 .  

The firing incidents on May 9, 2023, resulted in eight deaths, with hundreds of others injured. Similarly, clashes between PTI workers and state law enforcement agencies on November 26 left 12 PTI workers dead and dozens more injured.

After a prolonged deadlock, the first meeting between the committee representing the government and the PTI took place today (Monday), initiating long-awaited talks to ease political tensions.

Speaker National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, presided over the meeting.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, PM Advisor Rana Sanaullah, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, PPP leaders Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Naveed Qamar, and MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar represented the government’s committee. 

From the PTI’s side, former speaker, national assembly, Asad Qaiser, Sunni Ittehad Council Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas were part of the delegation. 

However, PTI’s Omar Ayub, Ali Amin Gandapur, and Salman Akram Raja could not attend the meeting due to the court proceedings. 

According to Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, the next meeting is scheduled for January 2, when PTI will present its “charter of demands.”

Speaking to the media after the first round of negotiations, former Speaker Asad Qaiser stated, "Our first demand regarding PTI leaders’ meeting with Imran Khan has been approved. Further demands will be added to the charter of demands and submitted by January 2."

Sahibzada Hamid Raza said, "We are not making any demands that go beyond the constitution; we are not asking for any relief, but rather we seek fact-finding."

He added, "We want fact-finding on May 9 and November 26. We are talking about the release of political prisoners."