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 last week 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 a judicial commission 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, Barrister Gohar said that the government had promised to form a judicial commission to probe the May 9 and Nov 26 protests within seven days, but it failed to do so.
“PTI was hopeful of continuing the talks,” Gohar said. “Negotiations were called off due to non-cooperation from the government.”
Negotiations cannot move forward if the commission is not announced, 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.”
