PTI requests negotiation team’s meeting with Imran Khan by tomorrow

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is insisting on the negotiation team’s meeting with Imran Khan before proceeding with the third round of talks with the government, scheduled for this week.

The PTI was supposed to put its demands in writing before the government during the second round of talks on January 2. However, the party requested the government to grant more time for holding consultation with its founder Imran Khan for finalizing the charter of demands.

According to spokesperson of the government’s negotiation committee, the PTI had also requested for arranging a meeting with Imran Khan at Adiala Jail so that it could finalize a conclusive charter of demands in consultation with its founder.

In this connection, the PTI on Monday filed an application with the Adiala Jail superintendent, requesting to make arrangements for meeting between Imran Khan and the seven-member negotiation committee of the party by tomorrow (Tuesday).

The written request was submitted by Imran Khan’s lawyer, Faisal Chaudhry, urging authorities to facilitate the meeting in a “free environment.” The request also called for arrangements to be made for the meeting to take place tomorrow.

The Adiala Jail administration has confirmed receipt of the application, but no official response has been issued yet.

Speaking to media outside Adiala Jail, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan stressed the need for the meeting between party founder Imran Khan and the negotiation team. 

Gohar confirmed that two rounds of talks have already taken place with the government’s negotiating committee. However, he emphasized that “before the third round, it is essential to meet the party founder.”

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Gohar rubbished rumours of backdoor negotiations involving Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, calling them “false and misleading.” He asserted that the only talks taking place are through the party’s negotiation team formed by Imran Khan himself.

He said the PTI’s demands remain unchanged: the release of under-trial political prisoners and the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the events of May 9 and November 26, 2023.

Gohar said that the £190 million case should be conclude soon, insisting that Imran Khan did not personally benefit from the Al-Qadir Trust case.

While expressing hope that both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi would be acquitted in the case, he said that courtroom testimonies also suggested no direct financial involvement by Imran Khan.