Omar Ayub reveals why he skipped PTI-govt talks

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly (NA), Omar Ayub, on Tuesday explained why he did not participate in the negotiations with the coalition government.

Speaking outside the Peshawar High Court (PHC) during a court appearance, Omar Ayub stated that he was attending hearings related to cases filed against him under Form 47. “I was at the Peshawar High Court yesterday, which is why I couldn’t participate in the negotiations,” he said.

Omar Ayub criticised the media, saying, “A newspaper ran a big story claiming I didn’t go for negotiations. I request the media to verify things a bit more. We are hopeful the negotiations will be successful.”

Later, the PHC granted Omar Ayub a one-month transit bail. Justice Ejaz Anwar presided over the hearing on Omar Ayub’s transit bail applications.

Counsel for the petitioner, Advocate Alam Khan Adeenzai, informed the court that the petitioner is the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and cases have been registered against him.

Addressing the court, Omar Ayub said, “There are many cases, and it is difficult to appear everywhere. I am also a member of the negotiation committee, which requires my presence. This court had granted me bail previously, but I was still arrested.”

The court remarked, “Alright, we will give you time.” To this, Omar Ayub requested, “Please grant me a month’s time.”

The court agreed, stating, “We are giving you time. You should appear in the respective courts by then.”

Previously Omar Ayub said that the party is evaluating the government’s intentions in the newly formed negotiation committee, as talks between the two sides began.

“Today is the first round of negotiations; we will see what happens,” Omar Ayub told reporters outside the court.

“We will also assess the government’s sincerity in this process.”

Omar Ayub clarified there had been no recent meetings between PTI’s negotiation team and the party’s founder, emphasising that any perceived disagreements were baseless.

Govt-PTI talks ignite fresh hopes

In a bid to cool the political heat, the PML-N-led ruling coalition and PTI broke the ice on Monday, finally sitting down at the table to untangle the knots that have kept the nation in political gridlock.

The PTI leadership verbally put its demands before the ruling coalition during the maiden session, held at Parliament House under the chairmanship of National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. The talks have set the stage for further discussions, with the next round slated for January 2.

The PTI delegation, led by former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser included Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.

However, the absence of key PTI heavyweights including opposition leader Omar Ayub, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Secretary General Salman Akram Raja—did not go unnoticed.

Their no-show was reportedly due to court commitments and international travel.