Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Omar Ayub staged a walkout from the National Assembly on Wednesday, demanding the release of jailed party leaders, including founding chairman Imran Khan, and an end to alleged threats to party members.

At the start of the session, Deputy Speaker Syed Mir Ghulam Mustafa Shah announced the proceedings of the assembly, but problems surfaced immediately when PTI member Iqbal Afridi raised the issue of quorum. The meeting was adjourned for 15 minutes as a quorum was not reached.

Speaking to the media after the session, Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub condemned the government’s actions and said, “We will not be part of this session until Imran Khan and PTI workers are released.

He further accused the government of forcing PTI members from Punjab to resign from their posts under duress.

Several political parties, with the exception of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), supported the departure of the opposition. Ayub and his colleagues demanded the immediate release of the PTI members and warned that they would not return to the rally until their demands were resolved.

Meanwhile, the absence of key ministers was also highlighted during the session. Ayub asked why only one state minister and one federal minister were present in the rally. “Where are the other ministers? They should be here to answer the questions we have,” he added.

The break followed growing tensions in the National Assembly over the handling of political demands, with opposition parties pushing for the release of their leaders and greater political freedom for party members.

Imran postpones the civil disobedience call

The founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has put on hold his call for a civil disobedience movement, his sister said on Tuesday, as a cabinet minister tasked the opposition party to create an enabling environment for political dialogue.

Aleema Khan spoke to the media after meeting Imran Khan in Adiala Jail and said her brother had warned him to ask overseas Pakistanis to stop remittances if his two demands were not met – Judicial Inquiry May 9, 2023 and 26 November 2024 incidents and dismissals of party workers.

“There are overseas Pakistanis in contact who say they are ready to stop sending money, but PTI members have advised Imran Khan to wait so as not to harm the country,” she said, adding that Imran focused on their concerns and was willing to wait a few more days before you take decisive action.

She said that Imran is in great distress and will not stop until his demands are met. “If these demands are not met, Imran Khan will call on overseas Pakistanis to stop sending remittances to the country,” Allema Khan told the media.

Earlier this month, the PTI founder threatened a December 14 civil disobedience movement in a post on his X handle. He also announced a five-member committee to negotiate with the federal government on his two demands.

However, the government rejected the prospect of talks with the PTI in the face of the threat of a civil disobedience movement. During the National Assembly session, several ministers urged the PTI to create an environment conducive to dialogue and withdraw the call for civil disobedience.

“Talks cannot be held at gunpoint,” Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told the National Assembly. He also termed PTI’s negotiating committee as “meaningless” and claimed that without sincerity, such efforts are futile. Asif also criticized the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government for its marches on Islamabad.

PTI’s Sher Afzal Marwat emphasized the need for dialogue and national unity to help the country out of the current crisis. He highlighted the importance of dealing with the current chaotic situation and learning from past mistakes.

Marwat emphasized that any negotiations can succeed only if the political forces come together with a clear set of terms of reference (TOR). He also expressed concern over the security issues in his constituency and called on the government to take action against law breakers.

Responding to the procedural objection raised by Marwat, Political Adviser to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Rana Sanaullah reiterated the government’s willingness to act but stressed that the PTI should engage with the government through formal channels.

“PTI must approach the Speaker’s Office if it wants a political dialogue,” Rana said. “The speaker’s office is a neutral place for each party and PTI’s dialogue committee should convey a serious message to engage in talks,” he added.

He said a healthy dialogue between the opposition and the treasury is vital for a strong political and democratic system. He expressed the hope that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would take the allied parties into confidence if the PTI shows its seriousness in conducting political dialogue.

Khawaja Asif also said in response to Marwat’s procedural objection that formal talks between the government and PTI have not yet started and stressed the need for serious efforts or practical steps by PTI to initiate dialogue with the government.

“No formal steps have yet been taken to open talks,” he said. He urged the PTI legislators to prioritize their constitutional duties over political affiliation. “Love and harmony grow through goodwill, not threats,” he said, warning that an aggressive tone would only breed bitterness.

He called for an environment of change that fosters goodwill and positivity. “Talks cannot proceed alongside contradictions and threats. The call for civil disobedience has been issued again, they can carry it out and then we can discuss things,” he added.

During the session, PTI lawmakers also expressed their willingness to talk to the government, but insisted they would not “beg” for dialogue. They also condemned the government crackdown on PTI protesters in Islamabad on November 26.

Earlier on Tuesday, PTI leader and former Speaker of the National Assembly Asad Qaiser claimed that he was being pressured to resign and was informed that the current Speaker was informed to accept his resignation as soon as it was submitted.

His remarks came during a session of the National Assembly presided over by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, where Qaiser criticized the ongoing situation and alleged harassment of Members of the National Assembly (MNAs).

Asad Qaiser questioned under which law MNAs were subjected to harassment and said members felt threatened by the “establishment government” and the administration.

He further alleged that raids were being carried out on the houses of PTI members in Punjab and warned that if the resignations were forced, the assembly would not be able to function. He also criticized the lack of progress by a special committee set up to address these concerns.