ISLAMABAD: After much deliberation, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PIT) on Thursday submitted its written demands demanding an inquiry into the incidents of May 9, 2023 and November 26, 2024, as well as the release of “political prisoners”. done
PTI’s ‘Charter of Demands’, available. Geo Newsalso said the party would not continue talks if the government failed to form two separate commissions on violent incidents.
The third meeting between Imran Khan-founded PTI and the government was held at Parliament House under the chairmanship of National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, in which demands were presented.
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Umar Ayub, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur, former Speaker of the National Assembly Asad Qaiser, Secretary General of the Party Salman Akram Raja, Chairman of Majlis Wahdat Muslimeen (MWM) Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and Sunni Unity Council. (SIC) leaders were also present. PTI was represented by Sahibzada Hamid Raza.
While the government team includes Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Prime Minister’s Advisor Rana Sanaullah, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Raja Pervez Ashraf, Naveed Qamar, Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) law. Facilitator Farooq Sattar and leaders from Balochistan are included. Awami Party legislator Khalid Magsi.
In the three-page document, the PTI mentioned that the party and its allies have traveled through “blood and gore” and that their leader Khan and thousands of our supporters have faced “unjust imprisonment”.
The party’s written demands are signed by all six members of PTI’s negotiating committee, including Chief Minister Gandapur, former Speaker Qaiser, Secretary General Raja, MWM chief Allama Abbas and PTI’s representative SIC Raza. did
The document states that the party has held talks with the “installed government in Islamabad” to advance the fight for people’s rights.
“The Charter of Demands is presented as a condition for broader negotiations on the restoration of the Constitution, the rule of law and respect for the people’s mandate, free and fair elections.”
As per PTI’s demand, the two commissions will be headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan or three judges of the Supreme Court, who are mutually nominated by the former ruling party and the government.
In the last two rounds, the first meeting was held on 27 December 2024 followed by the second meeting on 2 January 2025, the party did not present its demands as they were waiting for Khan’s approval.
However, after much struggle, the PTI negotiators were allowed to meet the PTI founder in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, who gave them comprehensive instructions, based on which their demands would be finalised. Shaped.
Before the meeting, the spokesperson of the government committee, Irfan Siddiqui, said that the seven coalition parties will present PTI’s demands to their party leaders.
PTI demands
The party has demanded the government to form two commissions — consisting of the Chief Justice of Pakistan or three serving judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, mutually nominated by the PTI and the government within seven days. .
“The proceedings of both commissions should be open to the general public as well as the media,” the party noted in the document.
The PTI has called on the federal government as well as the governments of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan to support orders granting bail or suspension of sentence to all political prisoners as per the law.
The party said it would identify political prisoners, who were arrested after the May 9 and November 24-24 events or any other political event.
He also sought help for those who have been convicted and whose appeals or revisions are currently pending before the court.
The PTI has outlined a total of 22 key issues before the government, specifically five demands related to the formation of two commissions of inquiry.
The party presented nine demands regarding the first inquiry commission and seven demands regarding the second commission.
The demands include the release of political activists arrested across the country and suspension of their sentences.
First Commission
According to the document, the first commission will be tasked with conducting an in-depth investigation into the legality of the events that led to Khan’s arrest on May 9, 2023.
The commission will also investigate the manner of arrest and the legality of those responsible for entering the premises of the Islamabad High Court – from where Khan was arrested – by Rangers and police.
The PTI said that the incidents across the country after Khan’s arrest, especially the situations in which groups of people managed to reach various high-security locations where property was damaged, should also be investigated. Should, PTI said.
CCTV recordings should be examined at every location where damage has been caused by protesters and if CCTV footage is not available, the reasons for its non-availability should be determined.
The document said that the manner in which those arrested in connection with the May 9 incidents were arrested and then detained, as well as the circumstances of their release, should be inquired into.
Did the authorities violate the human rights of these people through violence? How were the lists of those arrested compiled and determined?
It should also be explored whether multiple FIRs were filed against the same person with reference to 9 May 2023 and serial arrests were made by misusing the process of law.
The PTI demanded media censorship, a ban on reporting on the incident and an investigation into the harassment of journalists.
“Examine and determine responsibility for government-imposed internet shutdowns before, during, and after virus and legal status and unrest.”
Second Commission
This second body should be tasked with conducting an in-depth inquiry into the events that took place in Islamabad from November 24 to 27, 2024 – the days when the party led by KP Chief Minister Gandapur and Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi, marched in Islamabad. What was the march towards?
The PTI demanded an inquiry into whether live ammunition and other forms of physical assault were used on protesters in Islamabad.
“If so, who ordered the use of live ammunition and other acts of violence against the protesters? To what extent was the use of force excessive? If so, who was responsible for the excessive use of force?” ”
The PTI demanded that the number of people killed and injured and those who went missing after the November protests be revealed.
The commission should examine and ascertain the CCTV recordings in various hospitals and medical facilities in Islamabad regarding the said period, the document said.
Further, it should be investigated whether the records of hospitals and other medical facilities were tampered with, and if so, at whose direction and behest was it done? “Are hospitals prevented from releasing information about casualties and injuries?”
“Review and find out the status of CCTV footage recorded in various premises from China Chowk to D Chowk in Blue Area, Islamabad.”
The party also demanded an inquiry into the difficulties faced by those who filed FIRs and initiated other legal proceedings regarding the November 24 to 27 incidents.
It added that another commission should also examine media censorship and restrictions on reporting on the incident, including harassment of journalists.
“[It should also] Assess the effects and implications of government shutdowns of the Internet before, during, and after unrest and determine responsibility.”