PTI’s delay in presenting demands in writing can create difficulties in negotiation process
Islamabad: Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Senator Irfan Siddiqui cautioned on Saturday that the negotiation process could hit a snag if the PTI failed to present its demands in writing as per its commitment.
“We could not make any progress despite the lapse of 12 days,” Senator Siddiqui, spokesperson for the government’s negotiating committee said, during an interview with a news channel.
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The senator explained that the government honored its words and facilitated the PTI team meeting with Imran Khan but the PTI seems indecisive about whether to present ‘charter of demands’ in writing or not.
Responding to a question, he said that the PTI had promised in the first meeting on December 23 to present its demands in writing and it was also mentioned in the joint declaration. However, the demands were not presented on January 2, he said.
PTI later requested another opportunity to consult Imran Khan to seek his advice and finalize the charter of demands. We accepted this, but if the written ‘Charter of Demands’ was not presented in the third meeting too, the negotiation process may face difficulties, he added.
In repose to another question, Senator Siddiqui replied that being a political prisoner is determined by the nature of the offense, not the identity of the individual. “If, as a member of Senate, I commit murder and am jailed for it, I will not be considered a political prisoner. Such exemptions do not even apply to the President of Pakistan,” he said.
He added that in addition to demanding the release of Imran Khan and other prisoners and the establishment of judicial commissions, PTI has also demanded that the whereabouts of 45 missing individuals be traced.
When we asked for the names, addresses, and identities of these 45 individuals, PTI did not have the details available with them. “How can the government trace people whose details even PTI doesn’t know?” He questioned.
Senator Siddiqui clarified that the government neither made any demand from the PTI, nor even asked to withdraw their call for civil disobedience.
“Neither the government nor any institution has offered to transfer Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Bani Gala or any other location, as per my knowledge,” he said.
He also dismissed rumours of any parallel or behind-the-scenes negotiations. The date for third round of the talks would be given by the PTI, he said.
