Gohar says Imran optimistic about talks

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RAWALPINDI/PESHAWAR:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has stated that his party's founder, Imran Khan, is hopeful of swift progress in the ongoing negotiations with the government.

"During the second round of talks, the party will present its demands to the government in writing," he declared.

Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail after meeting Khan on Tuesday, Barrister Gohar revealed that he had informed Khan about initiating the negotiation process. However, Imran emphasised the need for a defined timeframe and urged prompt progress on the party's legitimate demands.

He clarified that no international matters were discussed during the meeting. "The PTI founder directed that issues related to foreign policy should only be addressed by the party chairman, secretary, and information secretary."

Barrister Gohar mentioned that four team members could not participate in the negotiations, and the National Assembly speaker was informed in advance. In the next round, the party plans to present a formal "charter of demands" to the government.

Efforts are underway to arrange a meeting between the negotiation committee and the PTI founder before the official start of the discussions. Gohar clarified that the committee was formed by Imran Khan, but he and several others are not part of it.

He expressed optimism about the negotiation process and stressed the importance of finding solutions to all issues.

Regarding the cases against the PTI founder, Barrister Gohar said that all of them were politically motivated, and bail had been granted. "Only one reference remains, for which a decision is expected next month."

The PTI chairman hoped that if a fair trial was conducted, the PTI founder would also be acquitted in that case and granted bail.

He added that Ali Amin Gandapur could not participate in the negotiations as he was attending the Apex Committee meeting.

Alvi urges probe

Former Pakistan President Arif Alvi has called for investigations against all military officers involved in politics. He remarked that change is on the horizon, and the public is hopeful.

Meanwhile, National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub stated that PTI has been compelled to engage in negotiations, but cannot comment on talks with the "establishment" or "invisible forces."

PTI leader Asad Qaiser emphasised that there is no guarantor for the negotiations. "Parliament is everything." He criticised the Supreme Court's decision to allow civilians' cases to be tried in military courts.

After appearing at the Peshawar High Court, former president Alvi spoke to the media. "We are wasting time chasing after arrests and negotiations. The country's time is being squandered."

He urged the government to drop charges before proceeding with talks, lamenting the billions of losses incurred by the country.

Alvi also criticised the judicial system, claiming it has been destroyed. "The country has suffered immensely by imprisoning Imran Khan."

Speaking about the Supreme Court's decision, Alvi said that civilians should not be tried in military courts. "They were already hearing cases before Imran Khan's government, but during our tenure, they were inactive."

Asad Qaiser echoed similar sentiments. "We want an independent judiciary and the rule of law in this country. Allowing civilians' cases to be tried in military courts is regrettable." He highlighted concerns over the treatment of party workers, the release of detained individuals, and the demand for judicial inquiries into the May 9 and November 26 incidents.

Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, addressing the media, clarified that PTI is committed to negotiations. "Contrary to claims, we are interested in dialogue. Yesterday, I was at the high court, and today I am here, which is why I couldn't attend the talks," he said.

Ayub reiterated the party's demands, including the release of detainees, an investigation into the incidents of May 9 and November 26, and a transparent inquiry into general elections. "Our people were shot at, arrested, and injured. Why were unarmed citizens targeted, and on whose orders? These questions must be answered," he said.

He criticised the military courts' decisions and vowed to challenge them in higher courts. "The military court verdicts are being condemned globally. We will challenge them in the Supreme Court."

Omar Ayub further added that PTI must be allowed to meet with Imran Khan. "There should be no restrictions on meeting our leader. Cases have been registered against the former president under terrorism charges. This dual approach of registering cases and conducting negotiations is unacceptable."

He called for an end to the filing of baseless cases, questioning why inquiries were not conducted against Maryam Nawaz and Asif Zardari for acquiring vehicles. "We are not part of the government nor its spokespersons. This is a government of Form 47. We want to negotiate to assess their intentions. If the government acts unfairly, we will respond accordingly," Ayub concluded.

Meanwhile, PTI Central Information Secretary (CIS) Sheikh Waqas Akram lashed out at the central government for the alarming rise in terrorism across the country. He said the uptick was due to misguided and self-centered policies that were designed to crush PTI and eliminate Imran Khan, "the country's top leader, from the political landscape".

"The clique of thieves, who fraudulently seized powers, were too busy implicating PTI's leaders and workers in fake, bogus, and concocted politically-motivated cases. They were consolidating power and eliminating political rivals rather than tackling the escalating security concerns."

Waqas lamented that Pakistan was grappling with a dual crisis. "An unrepresentative government is unleashing a reign of terror, while terrorists roam freely, perpetrating daily attacks that claimed the lives of innocent civilians and brave soldiers."