Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has questioned the seriousness of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the ongoing talks with the federal government, terming the talks as mere mockery. The 75-year-old minister exclusively told Geo News on Monday that he has no authority to ensure the success or failure of talks with the PTI, adding that he strongly doubts the former ruling party’s motives. head. The minister’s remarks come after National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq called a “crucial” third meeting of the negotiating committees representing the government and the opposition PTI on January 16. The much-anticipated closed session will be held at 11.30am in the Houses of Parliament, during which the former ruling party is likely to present its demands in writing to the government team. A PML-N stalwart remarked, “I am 100% suspicious of PTI’s intentions. They are just buying time as their goals are completely different.” “PTI leaders are not serious about getting their leader Imran Khan out of jail through negotiations. The 71-year-old cricketer-turned-politician has been behind bars since August last year after being convicted in the Toshakhana-I case – one of dozens of cases registered against the former prime minister since he was ousted in April 2022. Referring to the criticism leveled at him by PTI leaders, a senior politician of the ruling party said that these people have “the game in their hands”. “I’m a target, like I’m trying to derail conversations. Khawaja Asif said he wanted the negotiations to succeed even if they involved dishonesty. However, there is not a single point yet that indicates progress towards a meaningful outcome, he added. He further claimed that the PTI leaders did not want the talks to bear fruit; instead, they looked for someone to blame for any failure. So it is a “waste of time” because they have other motives, the minister said, adding that it is not a negotiation but a mockery of dialogue. He said the PML-N leadership, including party supremo Nawaz Sharif, and several politicians including Rana Sanaullah were in favor of talks. “I also support talks. But PTI clearly does not,” he added. PTI seeks progress on demand The former ruling party, after meeting the PTI founder, announced that it was ready for a third round of talks with the ruling coalition. The date of the key meeting was fixed after a telephonic conversation between PTI leader Asad Qaiser and NA spokesperson, sources told Geo News on Monday. A day earlier, at a joint press conference alongside PTI leaders Omar Ayub Khan and Asad Qaiser, Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza, who also serves as the spokesperson of the negotiating team, urged the government to move forward in its negotiations. . requirements during the upcoming round of dialogue. He called on the government to set up an “impartial judicial commission” headed by a senior judge of the Supreme Court to investigate the events of 9 May 2023 and 26 November 2024. “There has been no progress in the negotiations yet,” he said, emphasizing the need for the government to act in accordance with their demands, especially the establishment of a judicial commission. Emphasizing that the release of political prisoners and the formation of a judicial commission were integral parts of their demands, Raza said PTI would submit its two demands in writing to the government team during the upcoming session. Raza warned that the dialogue will not continue unless a judicial commission is established and the former ruling party does not extend the deadline for talks with the government beyond January 31. “Show the CCTV footage if you [the government] think PTI is responsible [for the May 9 violence],” he demanded.
