PTI-government talks enter third round today

ISLAMABAD:

The third round of talks between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to bring down political temperatures will take place on Thursday (today).

During the meeting, PTI is set to present its written charter of demands, potentially paving the way for some progress.

According to details, the third meeting of the negotiation committees from both sides will be held at the Parliament House. PTI will present its demands in writing during today's session.

The development follows two previous dialogue sessions held on December 27, 2024, and January 2, 2025. The third round of talks, scheduled for 11:30 AM today at the Parliament House, was called by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.

This long-awaited step comes after PTI's negotiation committee visited former prime minister Imran Khan in Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail. The meeting, which had previously been delayed due to the party's inability to meet their leader, paved the way for today's talks.

PTI has put forth several demands, including the release of political prisoners and the establishment of a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 riots and November 26 protests.

The party has set a deadline of January 31, 2025, for the negotiations to reach a "logical conclusion," although Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, has suggested extending this to February 28.

After securing Imran's approval to proceed with the talks and submit their written demands last week.