PTI Should Let the Situation Settle: Irfan Siddiqui

Web Desk — In response to PTI’s announcement of ending negotiations, Government Negotiation Committee spokesperson Senator Irfan Siddiqui stated that they urged the opposition to wait a few more days and let the situation settle.

While speaking to the media in Islamabad, Senator Irfan Siddiqui expressed confusion over PTI’s decision to not wait for just a few more days. He said that negotiations are an integral part of the democratic process and called on PTI to reconsider their decision. He added that even if they could not engage in democratic and political dialogue, they should still consider coming to the table for talks.

Siddiqui mentioned that PTI leaders had stated they were ending negotiations based on Imran Khan’s instructions. He recalled that PTI had initiated the talks process, setting up a committee on December 5 and expressing a desire to negotiate, despite prior confrontations, including the events of May 9 and November 24-26.

He explained that after PTI realized it had no option but to engage in dialogue rather than conflict, it formed a committee and expressed its wish to pursue negotiations in the National Assembly.

Senator Siddiqui went on to highlight that the Prime Minister had formed a negotiation committee with representatives from seven allied parties, and serious discussions had begun. During the first meeting, it was agreed that PTI would present its demands in writing, but they failed to do so in the second session. It wasn’t until January 16 that PTI formally submitted its written demands.

The spokesperson also pointed out that PTI took 42 days, from December 5 to January 16, to submit their demands in writing. However, they expected the government to respond in just 7 days and form the judicial commission with the judges they specified.

Siddiqui stressed that their committee took the demands seriously, deliberated extensively, and expressed regret over PTI’s decision. He remarked that PTI, which once refused to shake hands with the government, had now decided to walk away from the negotiating table.

He clarified that the agreement made on the specified date had outlined that both sides would provide their written positions within seven business days, which would end on January 28. He assured that the government committee was working diligently to meet this deadline, despite PTI’s impatience.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui concluded by emphasizing that the government had moved forward with great patience, even as Imran Khan called for civil disobedience and urged Pakistanis to stop sending money. He noted that the government refrained from confrontation and did not demand that Khan be stopped. The Government Negotiation Committee remains in place and will continue discussions with PTI, awaiting a formal response from the opposition parties.