PTI leader Asad Qaiser on Saturday said the party would not continue negotiations with the government to lower the political temperature unless it was granted “uninterrupted access” to former Prime Minister Imran Khan for consultations, saying only he could make final decisions.
Since Imran’s imprisonment last year, in several cases, the PTI’s relations with the government and the establishment have deteriorated sharply, marked by protests that frequently escalated into violence amid state repression.
Following the agitation, Imran set up a five-member committee to hold talks with “anyone”, signaling a change in the stance of PTI lawmakers in Parliament. In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also formed a committee with members of the ruling coalition.
The first meeting between the two parties took place on December 23, while the second took place on January 2. So far, the two sides have not made any significant progress as PTI leaders sought frequent meetings with Imran to finalize their list of demands. The government and opposition will meet again, possibly next week.
speaking in DawnNewsTV ‘Doosra Rukh’ program today, Qaiser said. “We have requested uninterrupted access to Imran Khan. “If that doesn’t happen, then we won’t be in a position to make any commitments or move the talks forward.”
He said the government had also accepted in principle the requirement for daily meetings.
The PTI leader, who also served as Speaker of the National Assembly during Imran’s tenure, drew comparisons with the PPP and PML-N and asked, “Do you think they do anything without the permission of Nawaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto- Zardari or Asif?” Zardari?
“Reality is reality. Only Imran Khan will take the major decisions,” he said.
Qaiser said that if Imran could not take decisions, the talks could no longer continue. “If you have reservations about the negotiations and distance yourself from them, then they no longer matter.”
The PTI leader said the committee was creating an environment of conversation and acting as a facilitator so that “issues can be resolved properly”.
He added that there needed to be uninterrupted access to other imprisoned party leaders for political consultations.
Asked if he would leave the committee if he was not granted access, Qaiser responded: “The entire committee will fail. “This process must be gradual and careful, taking into account the interests of the public.”
He added that the main actors “must also be considered and must meet with the government.” Qaiser clarified that the party’s points were “very clear.”
The PTI leader said he recommended that the committee meet the government again next week.
Responding to a question about the government’s approach during the talks, Qaiser said the government had a “good attitude” and “its body language and approach were reasonable.”
When asked about the PTI’s demand to release Imran from prison, despite his own statements to journalists that he does not want relief, Qaiser said the statement was issued after consulting the party’s founder, but stressed that the cases against him were “political victimization.” ”.
“If a referendum were held, you would not find anyone who believes these are genuine cases,” Qaiser said, referring to the cases registered against the former prime minister.
“All of these are illegal and politically motivated. We just want justice and an end to government pressure on the courts. After that, they can judge these cases on their merits.”
When asked about offers to transfer Imran to Banigala or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Qaiser responded in the negative, stating that he had neither seen any such offer nor had any contact regarding it.
Qaiser responded to another question, this time about PTI’s influence on the talks, reiterating that the final decision rested with Imran and that the party was playing the role of facilitator.
“Our committee is made up of very high-level people,” he said. “You can’t have a more powerful committee than this.”
Will bring establishment into talks when necessary: Raja Pervaiz Ashraf
Meanwhile, when asked if the establishment would be involved in the negotiations, government committee member Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said: “They are part of the government, of course the committee will talk to them when necessary.”
He echoed Qaiser and stated that the meeting took place in a “pleasant atmosphere” and that both sides were trying to keep the atmosphere as positive as possible.
“Everyone listened carefully and responded politely,” he said. “This was the second meeting, in the first we asked the PTI to present a formal letter of demands.
“They agreed, but first asked for time and a meeting with Imran Khan to consult. Once we get their opinion, we will present a statute before the committee,” Ashraf said. “After next week’s meeting, a date will be set to present the letter of demands.”
The former prime minister added that the negotiations themselves were a success, as “those who do not shake hands have been brought to a forum to discuss their issues.”
“This is a good start to move towards something better,” Ashraf said.
