PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Thursday said that party founder Imran Khan has said to call off talks with the government due to a delay over the formation of judicial commissions.
The PTI and the government had been engaged in talks to bring down political temperatures. After two rounds of meetings, the third round was held seven days ago (Jan 16) in which the PTI formally presented its demands in writing.
Despite weeks of negotiations, the dialogue process has hardly moved forward on major issues — the formation of judicial commissions and the release of PTI prisoners.
On Monday, the government assured the PTI of a response to the opposition’s ‘charter of demands’ within seven working days after the party warned it would boycott the next round of talks if judicial commissions were not formed to probe the May 9 and November 26 incidents.
Speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail today after meeting Imran, Barrister Gohar said that the government had promised to form the requested judicial commissions within seven days, but it failed to do so.
“The PTI founder (has) said to call the talks off over the government’s failure to form the judicial commissions,” he said.
He added that the PTI was hopeful of continuing the talks but they have to be called off “due to non-cooperation from the government.”
“Negotiations cannot move forward if the commission is not announced today,” he said.
He noted, however, that negotiations can be held if a three-judge commission is formed.
According to the PTI founder, the party will continue its efforts under the law and constitution, Gohar said. “On the instructions of [Imran], we will join various opposition parties and struggle together.”
More to follow