PTI refuses to attend Jan 28 meeting with govt

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has summoned the fourth meeting of the government and opposition negotiation committees on January 28 at 11:45 pm in Committee Room No. 5 of the Parliament House.

However, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced its refusal to participate, citing mistrust in the government’s approach to legislative processes.

PTI leader Barrister Gohar Ali Khan stated that the party would not attend the upcoming session, declaring the talks “on hold.” He criticized the government’s legislative practices, labeling them unconstitutional and lacking transparency.

“The government of Form 47 has passed 37 laws without proper debate, including 8 laws in just 11 minutes,” he alleged.

Opposition leader Omar Ayub echoed these sentiments, calling the newly passed laws “black laws” intended to suppress media and opposition voices. “These laws are tools of repression and will ultimately affect everyone,” he remarked.

. “These laws are tools of repression and will ultimately affect everyone,” he remarked.

PTI leaders also condemned the amendments to the PECA Act, describing them as draconian measures against media freedom.

Govt denies ending negotiations with PTI

Senator Irfan Siddiqui, spokesperson for the government’s negotiation committee, said the PTI had been invited to the meeting but had not formally communicated their decision to boycott. He expressed frustration at PTI’s unpredictability, stating, “We have not ended the negotiations. If one side abruptly walks out, how can we proceed?”

Rana Sanaullah, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Public and Political Affairs, reiterated the government’s commitment to dialogue but criticised PTI’s approach. “Dialogue requires a structured process. If they look to other avenues for solutions, they will realise there’s no political agenda there,” Sanaullah said.

Omar Ayub condemned the government’s control over media and alleged divisions in the judiciary caused by the 26th amendment. He accused the government of stifling PTI rallies by cutting cable transmissions.