Pakistan opposition party PTI to meet government for second round of talks today

Pakistan's main opposition party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), will meet government negotiators for the second time today in Islamabad. They are demanding an end to new cases against jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan and the release of imprisoned party workers.

The PTI has set aside its broader grievances, including allegations of election mandate theft, to focus on these demands and will decide whether to present them in writing following the negotiations.

National Assembly Spokesperson Zafar Sultan announced the talks were rescheduled from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM at Parliament House, following requests from committee members. National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq will chair the meeting.

This follows the first round of negotiations on December 22, where PTI representative Asad Qaiser met with government officials alongside PTI's lead negotiator Sahibzada Hamid Raza and Majlis-e-Wahdatul Muslimeen chief Allama Nasir Abbas at Parliament House.

Both sides expressed optimism after those initial discussions and agreed to hold a second round of talks on January 2, 2025. Between the two rounds, the PTI delegation visited Imran Khan in prison to receive his guidance regarding the negotiations.

In an interview with Nukta, PTI's chief negotiator Sahibzada Hamid Raza confirmed that the second round of talks between PTI and the government will take place today.

'PTI's demands straightforward'

He stated that the PTI's demands were straightforward: first, the establishment of a judicial commission to conduct a transparent investigation into the incidents of May 9 and November 26, and second, the release of all political prisoners.

Raza clarified that they are not demanding an unconditional release of political prisoners. "We seek the release of Imran Khan and other political prisoners through proper constitutional, legal, and judicial channels," he explained.

"While we have no intention to pressure the courts, our concern is that even when a prisoner secures bail in all cases, the government or prosecution deliberately files new, undisclosed cases to prevent their release. We want this political victimization to end so that the judicial process can be completed and releases can proceed according to law," he said.

According to him, the PTI has not yet decided to submit these demands in writing, as they are already clear and straightforward. "We will discuss these matters with the government tomorrow, after which we will decide whether to present our demands in written form," he stated.

Govt, PTI have 'reached understanding'

Speaking to Nukta, political analyst Imtiaz Gul suggested that the PTI and the government appear to have reached an understanding on fundamental issues, leading the PTI to step back from its public agenda. According to Gul, it's possible that they have been asked to exercise patience to allow the process to move forward in response to the PTI's demand for general elections.

He suggested an apparent understanding exists between the political parties, with the PTI's current demands centered on forming a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 and November 26 incidents and ending political cases. He expects negotiations to proceed along these lines.