PTI stalls talks over judicial commission

Tempers seem to be flaring up again as the formation of a judicial commission remains the sticking point between the government and the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), with the latter stating that there will be no further talks with the ruling alliance if the commission is not established.

The PTI's statement came shortly after government negotiation committee spokesperson Irfan Siddiqui announced that the opposition party would be informed of the government's response in writing on January 28. He added that no decision had yet been made regarding the formation of a judicial commission.

The former ruling party has been demanding the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the incidents of May 9, 2023 and November 26, 2024. It further calls for the release of all political prisoners, including the party's founder, Imran Khan.

Addressing a news conference in the federal capital on Wednesday, PTI leader Omar Ayub reaffirmed that there would be no fourth round of talks with the government's negotiation team unless the judicial commission is formed. He was flanked by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and other party leaders.

"The third round of talks with the government has been completed. The government had promised to arrange a meeting with the PTI (founding) chairman (Imran Khan). We have repeatedly asked for it but the government has failed to facilitate the meeting," Ayub said. "If the commission is not formed as per our demand, there will be no further negotiations [with the government]," he added.

Earlier, the government's negotiation committee convened a meeting in the National Assembly speaker's chamber to deliberate on the PTI's demands.

Later, while addressing the media, Irfan Siddiqui stated that the committee had sought detailed legal opinions on the PTI's demands. He added that consultations would continue on Thursday (today) and Friday (tomorrow).

"We will provide a written response to the PTI on January 28. However, no decision has been made yet regarding the formation of a judicial commission," Siddiqui said.

He noted that the consultation process would continue and that several matters would be reviewed.

Ijazul Haq, a member of the government's negotiation team, told reporters that the committee was still working on PTI's letter outlining their demands. "We have thoroughly reviewed each point raised by PTI. However, no final decision has been made yet and the response is still in process," Haq said.

Separately, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif criticised the PTI over its demand to form a judicial commission.

Speaking to media outside the parliament, the defence minister stated that those involved in the May 9 incidents had already been sentenced. He asked what further investigations the judicial commission would conduct.

He criticised the PTI, accusing the party's supporters of inciting unrest through social media.