PTI Prioritizes Imran Khan’s Release in Government Talks
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has made the release of its founder, Imran Khan, a cornerstone of its negotiations with the government. According to a source from the ruling coalition, this demand was the primary focus during both rounds of high-stakes talks.
Release Through Executive Order: PTI’s Key Demand
During the initial meeting on December 23, PTI explicitly demanded Khan’s release through an executive order. This position remained unchanged during the follow-up meeting on January 2. A government insider disclosed, “PTI began both meetings by insisting on Imran Khan’s release, demonstrating the significance of this issue to their agenda.”
The demand extends beyond Khan, including key PTI figures such as Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Senator Ijaz Chaudhry, and detained party workers. However, the ruling coalition questioned PTI’s insistence on an executive order, pointing out that during Khan’s tenure, political detainees such as Rana Sanaullah and Shehbaz Sharif were not released through such measures.
Government’s Position on PTI’s Demands
The government has expressed scepticism about PTI’s approach, especially regarding the lack of a written charter of demands. Despite assurances during the December 23 meeting that PTI would submit a formal document, no such charter was presented in the subsequent meeting.
Senator Irfan Siddiqui, a key government negotiating team member, emphasized the importance of documented demands. “The government needs a written charter to consult legal experts on the feasibility of Imran Khan’s release or any other demands,” he said.
PTI’s reluctance to provide written demands has led to speculation about internal indecision. “It appears that PTI’s representatives either lack the confidence to make decisions or require Imran Khan explicit approval on every matter,” the source noted.
Facilitating Communication with Imran Khan
The government has facilitated multiple meetings between the PTI committee and Imran Khan to expedite the negotiation process. However, PTI recently requested a separate, private meeting space, raising concerns among government officials.
While PTI denies seeking Khan’s release solely through an executive order, its negotiating team has called for an end to what it terms political victimization. Sahibzada Hamid Raza, a PTI representative, stated, “Our leadership is willing to face legal proceedings, but the government must cease using prosecution as a tool for political harassment.”
The Impasse Over Missing Persons and Political Prisoners
In addition to demanding Khan’s release, PTI has urged the government to trace 45 missing individuals. However, the party could not provide detailed information about these persons, complicating the government’s ability to act.
Siddiqui clarified that political prisoner status depends on the nature of an offence. “Being a political prisoner is not determined by one’s position but by the circumstances of their detention,” he explained. He added that no exemptions apply even to high-ranking officials like the President of Pakistan.
Potential Snags in Negotiations
The government has warned that continued delays in presenting a written charter of demands could derail the negotiation process. “We have fulfilled our promises, including arranging meetings between PTI representatives and Imran Khan, but the absence of formal demands hinders progress,” Siddiqui remarked.
He also dismissed rumours of parallel or behind-the-scenes negotiations, reaffirming that discussions are proceeding transparently. The government has left the scheduling of the third round of talks up to PTI.
PTI’s Stance on Negotiations
Hamid Raza confirmed that PTI is open to resolving the issue within a constitutional and legal framework. “We want fair treatment for our leadership and an end to politically motivated cases, but we remain committed to addressing these issues through dialogue,” he stated.
Raza emphasized that PTI has never sought special treatment for Khan or its other leaders, aiming instead for an equitable resolution that adheres to legal protocols.
Looking Ahead
As the third round of talks looms, the pressure is mounting on PTI to formalize its demands and engage constructively with the government. For its part, the ruling coalition appears firm in its commitment to upholding legal procedures and avoiding politically controversial decisions like executive orders for release.
The resolution of these negotiations could have far-reaching implications for Pakistan’s political landscape. While PTI’s persistence in demanding Khan’s release underscores its strategy to regain political momentum, the government’s insistence on legal due process highlights the challenges of achieving consensus in a polarized environment.
