The Pakistan government has expressed “surprise” over fresh demands made by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) during ongoing negotiations aimed at reducing political tensions in the country. PTI leader Asad Qaiser recently called for the inclusion of an establishment representative in the dialogue and insisted on uninterrupted access to jailed PTI leaders, including founder Imran Khan, for consultations.
Speaking to DawnNews TV, government committee spokesperson Senator Irfan Siddiqui stated, “These demands are surprising and were not raised during committee meetings.” He added that Qaiser’s insistence on involving a representative from the establishment complicates the discussions.
PTI’s Stance on Negotiations
Asad Qaiser clarified that PTI will not proceed with the talks unless party leaders, including Imran Khan, are consulted. “Only Imran Khan can make the final decision,” Qaiser emphasized, calling for “uninterrupted access” to him and other incarcerated leaders. While Qaiser refrained from explicitly mentioning the “establishment,” he referred to the need for including “stakeholders with real decision-making powers” in the dialogue.
Government and PPP’s Response
Raja Pervez Ashraf, a Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader, acknowledged the establishment’s influence, stating, “They are part of the government, and discussions will include them as required.” However, Irfan Siddiqui warned that PTI’s reluctance to present written demands could jeopardize future talks.
Political Turmoil and the Road Ahead
Since Imran Khan’s arrest on various charges, PTI’s ties with the government and the establishment have deteriorated, leading to nationwide protests and occasional violence. Despite these challenges, both sides initiated negotiations, with two meetings held on December 23 and January 2. A third meeting is expected next week.
The situation underscores the ongoing tension between the ruling coalition and PTI, with fresh demands likely to test the resilience of these fragile negotiations.
