PTI refuses to attend talks despite NA speaker's efforts

Senator Irfan Siddiqui warned the negotiation committee will dissolve if PTI boycotts the fourth round of talks.

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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has refused to participate in a meeting scheduled for Tuesday despite efforts by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq to engage the opposition in dialogue, Express News reported.

According to sources, Sadiq reached out to Leader of the Opposition and PTI’s negotiation committee head Omar Ayub over a phone call, inviting the party to join the discussions. He stressed the importance of resolving political differences through dialogue and urged PTI to take part in the talks.

“Dialogue and negotiations are the only way to resolve issues. Solutions can be found through meaningful discussions,” Sadiq reportedly told Ayub.

However, Ayub informed the speaker about PTI’s decision, dictated by party founder Imran Khan, to boycott the meeting. He highlighted the government’s failure to address PTI’s demands and accused it of using delaying tactics.

“The government has been stalling on our demands. Without the formation of a judicial commission, there can be no progress in negotiations,” Ayub told Sadiq.

Earlier, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan announced that the party will not participate in talks with the government scheduled for Tuesday, stating that the decision has been officially conveyed.

PTI clarified that without the formation of the judicial commission, there would be no further progress in negotiations. The party believes that the creation of the commission is crucial to addressing their grievances and moving forward with talks.

“We had given a seven-day deadline regarding the talks. We will not attend tomorrow’s meeting with the government and have informed the secretary and speaker about our decision,” Barrister Gohar added.

Meanwhile, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, spokesperson for the government's negotiation committee, warned on Monday that the committee would be dissolved if PTI boycotts the fourth round of talks.

Speaking to a local news channel, Siddiqui criticised PTI’s position as “illogical,” pointing out that the party took six weeks to present its demands, while the ruling coalition only sought seven working days to provide a written response.

“In the joint declaration, seven working days are explicitly mentioned,” he clarified. Siddiqui reiterated that the government’s response to PTI’s demands, including the formation of the judicial commission, would be provided in the next round of talks, slated for January 28.

Siddiqui also met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to brief him on the ongoing talks. The premier stressed the importance of dialogue among political parties, describing it as the essence of democracy.

“Contacts and negotiations help prepare joint strategies to resolve issues facing the country,” said PM Shehbaz. He criticised PTI’s avoidance of dialogue as an undemocratic approach that fosters division and undermines national unity.

The PM called for harmony and mutual understanding to address critical challenges such as rebuilding the economy and combating terrorism.

He warned against creating obstacles to Pakistan’s progress through undemocratic behaviour, adding that the country is on the path to recovery and gaining international recognition.