ISLAMABAD: Senator Irfan Siddiqui, the spokesperson of the government’s negotiating team, has criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for not fulfilling its promise to submit written demands.
Talking to Geo NewsSiddiqui highlighted that the PTI had promised to present its demands in writing by December 23, but has failed to fulfill the pledge even after 22 days.
Siddiqui said that on December 23 it was promised that the demands would be submitted in writing, adding: “It has been 22 days, but the demands have not been submitted. If he does not submit his demands then It is not our fault.
Siddiqui highlighted that the negotiating committee was formed on December 5, but no written demands have been received yet. He further remarked that two demands were to be presented to Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq but they were not presented.
The seven coalition parties will be consulted when the points are presented to us. After that, all the coalition parties will consult their leadership on the demands,” Siddiqui explained.
He also emphasized that consideration takes time, saying: “It is not possible for a letter to arrive on a day and a response to the letter on the same day. If the demands are substantial, we have to consider them.” After the demands are presented, we should make a collective stand.
Siddiqui assured that while the PTI has set a deadline of January 31, the government will respond before that date.
A third negotiation session is scheduled.
The Speaker National Assembly called the third meeting of the negotiation committees of the government and the opposition PTI on January 16.
PTI is expected to present its demands in writing at the much-anticipated in-camera meeting scheduled at 11:30 am at Parliament House.
The meeting was confirmed after a telephonic conversation between PTI leader Asad Qaiser and the Speaker.
The development came after PTI negotiators met party founder Imran Khan at Adiala Jail Rawalpindi on Sunday. According to PTI sources, the meeting took place in a “controlled environment”.
Khan, imprisoned since August 2024 after being convicted in the Toshah Khana Case-1, is central to the ongoing political negotiations.
The Defense Minister questioned PTI’s intentions.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif expressed doubts about PTI’s commitment to meaningful talks and termed the ongoing talks as a “joke of talks”.
Addressing. Geo NewOn Monday, Asif said he was “100 per cent suspicious” of PTI’s motives, accusing the party of buying time and blaming others for any failure.
PTI leaders are not serious about bringing Imran Khan out of jail through negotiations. Instead, they are looking for scapegoats for the failure of negotiations,” Asif said.
Despite his misgivings, the minister stressed his support for talks, noting that the leadership of the Muslim League (N), including Nawaz Sharif and Rana Sanaullah, was also in favor of continuing the talks.
Asif criticized the PTI’s contradictory approach, terming the talks as a “joke night” and accusing the party of wasting time. “There is not a single point yet that indicates progress towards a meaningful outcome,” he said, highlighting PTI’s apparent reluctance to engage in serious talks.