- The Prime Minister’s adviser says that PTI’s stand on the commission of inquiry and other issues is firm.
Islamabad: Adviser to Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah announced on Thursday that after extensive negotiations, PTI has withdrawn its demand for the return of its electoral mandate.
Sanaullah revealed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had formed a special committee to resolve the written demands submitted by the opposition. The committee will work closely with the government’s coalition parties and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to ensure a comprehensive response to PTI’s demands.
The third round of talks between the two sides took place on Thursday where the PTI delegation led by senior leaders including Umar Ayub formally submitted their written demands.
One of the main demands raised by the PTI in these talks was the setting up of two commissions of inquiry, one to investigate the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan on 9 May 2023, which led to nationwide unrest. An investigation into the events between the Chinese outbreak, and the second on November 24. November 27, 2024.
The demand includes an investigation into the involvement of the police and the army in the arrest of Imran Khan and the subsequent violence, as well as examination of CCTV footage of the May 9 events.
In a joint press briefing with Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Rana Sanaullah said that PTI’s second major demand revolves around political cases filed against party leaders and supporters. The PTI requested access to detailed records of FIRs registered against political activists, but the government claimed that no such details were provided by the PTI during the talks.
While the PTI had earlier insisted on the return of its mandate through fresh elections, Rana Sanaullah confirmed that the opposition party has backed away from the demand, changing its stance.
He further said that despite withdrawing from the mandate demand, PTI’s stand on other issues including commission of inquiry is still maintained.
The PTI had earlier raised concerns about “political cases” being framed against its members, a claim that led to further discussions on the issue.
