PM forms committee for PTI negotiations

Shehbaz Sharif forms committee of governing coalition members to negotiate with PTI, emphasising collective interest

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a committee comprising members of the governing coalition to hold negotiations with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

The decision follows a proposal by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, in response to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar’s request for initiating talks.

The committee includes Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Federal Minister Naveed Qamar, MQM leader Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Aleem Khan, and Chaudhry Salik Hussain.

On the previous night, Barrister Gohar had approached the Speaker, urging him to play a role in facilitating discussions between the government and PTI.

Responding to the initiative, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the formation of the committee, emphasising the importance of prioritising national security and collective interest during the negotiations.

Prime Minister Sharif expressed hope that these talks would lead to a resolution that upholds the country’s stability and integrity. “Pakistan’s survival ensures our survival. I appreciate the Speaker’s efforts in this regard,” he stated.

Negotiations between the government and PTI are expected to begin within the next 12 hours, with the committee determining the location and schedule.

Officials anticipate a shift in PTI’s stance, and it is believed that the announcement of talks could lead to the dissolution of the civil disobedience movement.

Speaker forwards PTI's committee formation request to PM

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq earlier acknowledged a request from PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, who has urged him to play an active role in facilitating negotiations.

In his statement outside the court, Barrister Gohar highlighted the Speaker’s position as the Custodian of the House, seeking his involvement in resolving the political crisis through dialogue.

In response, Speaker Sadiq confirmed that he accepted Gohar’s request and recognised the need for negotiations to address the ongoing issues. He had stated that while he could not directly form a negotiating committee, he would formally request the Prime Minister to establish a government negotiating team.

This came after PTI proposed the formation of a negotiation committee as part of efforts to end political instability.

'Deadline for negotiations today'

PTI lawyers Salman Akram Raja and Latif Khosa announced that today marks the deadline for negotiations set by PTI chairman Imran Khan. After today, they will follow Khan's instructions.

Khosa criticized the swift decisions in 25 out of 85 cases, arguing that appeals were being handled unfairly. He also expressed opposition to the constitutional bench reviewing these cases, alleging decisions were being made prematurely.

Khosa claimed that influential circles had already advanced the issue, citing evidence against PTI, and raised concerns about the political maneuvering surrounding Imran Khan's removal, as well as Nawaz Sharif’s return to Pakistan under questionable circumstances.

Raja reiterated concerns about military courts trying civilians, emphasizing that such actions are unconstitutional. He warned against Imran Khan being presented in a military court, drawing parallels to past controversial decisions, like Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's execution.

Both lawyers stressed that PTI’s protests have been peaceful and demanded a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 events. Raja also criticized US sanctions on Pakistani companies and raised concerns about the misuse of military courts.

With the deadline now passed, PTI has hinted at instructing overseas Pakistanis to halt remittances if their demands are not met.