Tarar claims govt was considering 'middle ground' on PTI's demands

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Information Minister Attaullah Tarar criticised PTI’s decision to call off negotiations, stating that the government was considering a "middle ground" by proposing a committee instead of a judicial commission.

"It is not necessary to constitute a commission...we were deliberating on a middle ground to take things forward," Tarar said during an appearance on a private news channel on Thursday. He accused PTI of acting with "malicious intent" and making a "hasty decision."

"Our response to PTI's demands was to come," he said, adding that "extensive discussions" had been held on the matter. He further criticised the party, saying, "They should have found a legitimate excuse to prove they had been victimised. Now the onus is on them."

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has called off negotiations with the PML-N-led government, citing its failure to form a judicial commission within the promised seven-day timeframe.

Speaking to the media outside Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said the decision was made after Khan expressed frustration over the government’s inaction.

"The founder of PTI has categorically announced that no further rounds of negotiations will take place," Gohar stated. "The government made announcements but has yet to follow through, which is why Imran Khan decided to end the negotiations."

The talks, which began in December 2024, to reduce political tensions, have seen three sessions so far but have made little progress.

PTI had demanded the formation of two judicial commissions — one to investigate the May 9, 2023 riots and another to probe the November 26, 2024 crackdown on PTI supporters in Islamabad. The party also sought the release of "political prisoners."