Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan revealed that negotiations with the government have been put on “hold” by party founder Imran Khan, due to the government’s failure to meet the PTI’s demands.
Speaking to the media at the parliament house, Gohar explained that PTI had made only two demands, but the government took no action to form judicial commissions within the agreed seven-day period. “Seven days were enough to announce the commission,” he said, emphasizing that PTI could reconsider its stance if the government took steps to form the commission to investigate the incidents of May 9 and November 26.
Earlier, Gohar Ali Khan had mentioned outside Adiala Jail that Imran Khan had directed the party to withdraw from the dialogue due to the government’s delay in forming the judicial commissions, a key PTI demand. Despite the seven-day deadline, no progress had been made, according to Gohar.
He made it clear that while PTI preferred to resolve issues through dialogue, no further negotiations would take place unless the government formed a three-member judicial commission. He added that talks could resume only if the commission was established.
Imran Khan, he said, had reiterated the commitment to continue efforts within the constitution and law and work alongside other opposition parties to advance their cause.
Why Judicial Commissions?
PTI had formally presented their demands during the third round of talks, insisting on the formation of two judicial commissions to investigate the incidents of May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024. The party demanded that the commissions consist of either the chief justice or three Supreme Court judges and be formed under the Commission of Inquiry Act 2017. The appointments of the judges should be agreed upon by both PTI and the government within seven days.
The first commission was to investigate the arrest of Imran Khan on May 9, the entry of Rangers and police into Islamabad High Court, and the associated CCTV footage. PTI also called for an inquiry into the media censorship, harassment of journalists, the nationwide internet shutdown, and the identification of those responsible for these actions.
The second commission was to focus on the events between November 24 and 27, particularly looking into the use of force against protesters in Islamabad, identifying those responsible for ordering the firing, and verifying the number of martyrs and injuries through medical facility CCTV recordings. PTI also sought an inquiry into the difficulties in registering FIRs and the censorship of media coverage during this period.
Additionally, PTI called for the release or suspension of sentences for all political prisoners by the federal, provincial, and regional governments.
Sources revealed that the document outlining these demands was signed by PTI’s negotiating committee members, including PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, in the opposition leader’s chamber.
