Talks hinge on Imran's release, commissions: Omar Ayub

Ayub also stated that the government must allow PTI representatives to meet Imran Khan

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Opposition leader of the National Assembly and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Omar Ayub has emphasised the party’s clear stance on key issues, including the release of founding chairman Imran Khan and other detainees, along with the establishment of two commissions.

Speaking to the media outside a district court, Ayub said PTI’s position for negotiations revolves around the release of its leadership and investigations into the 9 May and 26 November incidents.

He added that the government must allow PTI representatives to meet Imran Khan, who he claimed is being held illegally.

“The government’s failure to adhere to the law is fostering lawlessness, which will deter investment and harm the country,” Ayub stated.

He also criticised the administration, citing shortages of food grains and persistent power outages during winter as indicators of mismanagement.

Earlier, the district sessions court extended Ayub’s interim bail until 9 January in a case related to the 26 November protest at D-Chowk.

The extension was granted due to the absence of the investigating officer, who was on leave. Ayub appeared in court alongside his counsel, Babar Awan.

PTI presents two key demands in second round of talks

The second round of talks between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the government have kicked off, with the opposition party presenting two of its major demands ie the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the events of May 9 and November 26, as well as the release of all political prisoners, including the party's founding chairman Imran Khan.

A PTI delegation arrived at the Parliament House for talks, which included prominent party figures such as Omar Ayub, Raja Nasser Abbas, Asad Qaiser, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and Salman Akram Raja, Express News reported.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also joined the delegation shortly after. The negotiation committee was chaired by Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.

Other key participants include Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Irfan Siddiqui, Rana Sanaullah, and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Naveed Qamar, along with Aleem Khan, Farooq Sattar, Ejaz-ul-Haq, and Khalid Magsi.

During the meeting, PTI representatives reiterated their demand for the formation of a judicial commission to probe the events surrounding the May 9 protests and the November 26 sit-ins.

The party also called for the immediate release of Imran Khan and all other detained PTI members and workers.

Asad Qaiser, while speaking to the media, acknowledged that the negotiation process could be prolonged and noted that progress in the first two meetings had been limited. "We will listen to the government and present our case," he said.

Earlier, PTI leaders met Speaker Ayaz Sadiq ahead of the negotiations, with Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah also present.