PTI to engage in third session of talks with govt: Barrister Gohar

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan has said that the party will participate in the third session of talks with the government.

Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, he stated that PTI's founding chairman, Imran Khan, had instructed the party to submit their demands in writing to the government.

Barrister Gohar further mentioned that Imran Khan had allowed the option for the PTI to meet with the government’s negotiation committee if they could not meet with him directly.

He added that if the negotiation committee is not permitted to meet Imran Khan in the future, they will reassess the situation.

He emphasised that PTI was committed to engaging in dialogue but would ensure that their demands were clearly conveyed.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan has stated that the party will accept invitations from any friendly country.

He mentioned that if the head of a friendly country visits Pakistan and the government extends an invitation, PTI would also accept that.

Commenting on international relations, Barrister Gohar emphasized that PTI had previously refused any requests from the U.S., asserting that "Absolutely not" was the response to any foreign interference in Pakistan's affairs.

The PTI chairman further clarified that the party has two primary demands, which do not need to be put in writing. He made it clear that they do not want these demands to be used as leverage for any deal.

He also reiterated that there is no ongoing deal, as both Imran Khan and PTI have rejected such suggestions, making it clear that the discussions are not related to any deal-making.

Barrister Gohar Khan has emphasized that the party is open to sitting for talks with the government for the benefit of the nation.

He said the focus of these negotiations would be specific: the formation of a commission and the release of PTI workers.

On the matter of Imran Khan’s release, Barrister Gohar revealed that discussions had taken place about his potential release by January 20, but these discussions had not progressed.

He clarified that no formal agreement or offer had been made by the government, establishment, or any of their representatives, including Mohsin Naqvi.

He stated, "No message was sent from my side, nor do I believe it came from Ali Amin Gandapur’s side. Whenever discussions took place, we were together. At no point did we pursue any offer, and we hadn’t even sat for one official negotiation session yet."

Barrister Gohar also emphasized that PTI would proceed to the third session of talks, as planned, and will focus on their core demands.

Access to Imran becomes sticking point in talks

Talks between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led ruling coalition and the PTI hit a snag on Tuesday after the opposition's negotiating team was denied access to PTI founder Imran Khan, according to the PTI.

At a press conference, PTI leadership questioned why they were not allowed to meet their incarcerated leader, despite assurances from the government that the negotiation committee would be granted access to Imran to ensure the talks were meaningful.

The PTI and government teams had held two rounds of talks, facilitated by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. The second round took place on January 2, but no new date has been set for their third meeting.

Key PTI leaders, including Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan, National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub and others said they had not been allowed to meet Imran after the second round of the negotitions.

PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram told The Express Tribune that denying a meeting with Imran Khan was causing delay in finalising the charter of demands and affecting the talks between his party and the ruling coalition.