- Web Desk
- Feb 14, 2025

No further talks sans formation of judicial commission: Imran Khan
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- Web Desk
- Jan 20, 2025

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar has emphasized that the party is willing to continue negotiations with the government, but only if a judicial commission is formed.
The PTI has been insisting on two demands since the onset of the govt-opposition talks: release all political prisoners, including Imran Khan, and form a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 and Nov 26 events.
In the third round of talks on Jan 6, the PTI presented its charter of demand in writing to the government, calling for two judicial commissions headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan, with three Supreme Court judges as members.
It demanded that both commissions should hold open proceedings accessible to the public and media, and proposed that the government and PTI committees finalise the judges’ nominations within seven days.
The party said one judicial commission should investigate the events of November 24-27, 2024, while the other one should specifically investigate incidents linked to the PTI founder’s arrest on May 9.
Talking to the media outside Adiala Jail on Monday, Barrister Gohar quoted PTI founder Imran Khan as saying that if the commission is not formed within seven days, there will be no fourth round of govt-PTI talks.
Gohar said, “We are waiting for the government’s next move. If there is no progress on the commission, continuing talks will be futile. The government seems nervous as it is a product of Form-47.”
He urged the government to focus on dialogue, calling successful negotiations a victory for Pakistan. “Negotiations require patience and tolerance. Hastiness will not help. Progress needs to be made with focus and calm.”
Regarding the meeting with Army Chief General Asim Munir, he clarified, “It was about the law-and-order situation, and this shouldn’t be turned into an issue.”
The PTI chairman further dismissed rumours about receiving official invitations to Donald Trump inauguration, clarifying that Trump’s invitations are managed by his election committee, not at the state level.
He also commented on Senator Irfan Siddiqui’s statement made during a TV show, criticising Gohar for terming their meeting with the army chief as “backdoor negotiations”.
Gohar said as Siddiqui is the spokesperson for the government’s negotiation committee, therefore, he should refrain himself from making such statements which could jeopardize the talks.
When Gohar told media that he and Ali Amin Gandapur held a meeting with the army chief and “put all the matters before the COAS”, Siddiqui had criticised the PTI leaders while questioning the credibility of their ‘backdoor negotiations.
He said he is aware of the backdoor discussions led by Barrister Gohar. “Negotiations cannot succeed through multiple channels. The PTI needs to clarify its priorities instead of creating confusion about backdoor and front-door processes,” he added.
Siddiqui had also suggested the PTI to focus on single negotiation door, rather than seeking backdoor channels for talks.
