PML-N accuses PTI of stalling talks

Says party has failed to present its charter of demands

GUJRANWALA/RAWALPINDI/FAISALABAD:

ISLAMABAD

At a time when most political forces back the ongoing government-opposition talks, members of the ruling PML-N have started pointing the finger at the PTI of stalling negotiations by failing to present its charter of demands in writing despite over 10 days into the talks

Some key PML-N leaders have called on the PTI to extend its January 31 cut-off date for conclusion of dialogues to the end of February to allow the process to move forward as the first 10 days have passed without any progress.

Nevertheless, despite the ruling party's criticism, political observers noted that the suggestion to extend the deadline shows that the government still wants all parties to give their 100% to make the talks successful.

PML-N senior leader Senator Irfan Siddiqui cautioned on Saturday that the negotiation process could hit a snag if the PTI failed to present its demands in writing as per its commitment, He said the PTI's delay in presenting demands in writing can create difficulties in the negotiation process.

"We cannot make any progress despite the lapse of 12 days," Siddiqui, the spokesperson for the government's negotiating committee, said during an interview on a private news channel.

The senator said the government honored its words and facilitated the PTI team's meeting with its de facto leader Imran Khan but the party seems indecisive about whether to present its "charter of demands" in writing or not.

Responding to a question, he said the PTI had promised in the first meeting on December 23 to present its demands in writing and it was also mentioned in the joint declaration. However, he said, the demands were not presented on January 2.

Siddiqui said the PTI later requested another opportunity to consult Imran Khan to seek his advice and finalize the charter of demands. We accepted this, but if a written charter of demands is not presented in the third meeting, the negotiation process may hit a snag, he added.

In response to another question, Siddiqui replied that being a political prisoner is determined by the nature of the offense and not by the identity of the individual.

"If, as a member of the Senate, I commit murder and am jailed for it, I will not be considered a political prisoner. Such exemptions do not even apply to the president of Pakistan," he said.

He said in addition to demanding release of Imran Khan and other prisoners as well as the establishment of judicial commissions, the PTI has also demanded that the whereabouts of 45 of its allegedly missing workers be traced.

When asked for the names, addresses, and identities of these 45 individuals, he said, the PTI did not have the details available with them. "How can the government trace people whose details even the PTI doesn't know?" he questioned.

Senator Siddiqui clarified that the government neither made any demand from the PTI, nor even asked it to withdraw its call for civil disobedience.

"Neither the government nor any institution has offered to transfer Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Bani Gala (Imran's personal residence) or any other location, as per my knowledge," he said.

He also dismissed "rumours" of any parallel or behind-the-scenes negotiations. He said the date for the third round of the talks would be given by the PTI.