PTI hints at another protest if talks with govt fail

The government’s negotiation committee and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) resumed the third round of talks. However, the opposition party hinted at another protest if the discussions do not yield results.

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq chaired the meeting, where PTI submitted its charter of demands in writing.

“We are currently staging [Ooo Ooo] protest, but we would go beyond if the issue would not be solved,” said Opposition leader Omar Ayub while warning the government about another demonstration.

“Release of political prisoners in accordance with law is our first demand,” he added. 

However, dismissing the impression of a deal emerging after the deferral of the Toshakhana reference verdict, he said, “Neither deal nor relief, we just want to release PTI workers, who had been arrested over protesting on November 26 and May 9.” 

PTI leader also urged the government to end the prolonged incarceration of party founder Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

Demanding the formation of an inquiry commission, Omar Ayub stated that the matter could not be solved by executive order. 

However, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs believed that the process of releasing politics would take time, as the government would consult with its ally parties first and then respond to PTI’s demand. 

Senator Irfan Siddiqui, spokesperson of a government committee, said that they will respond in black and white to PTI’s demand. 

However, Siddiqui expects a delay in the conclusion of the talks, “it may go beyond the deadline of January 31, but the government will try to answer PTI by the said day.”