PTI calls for CJP-led commissions to probe May 9, Nov 26 incidents

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PIT) on Thursday submitted written demands for an inquiry into the events of May 9, 2023 and November 26, 2024, as well as the release of “political prisoners”, after much uproar. The PTI’s ‘charter of demands’, also mentions that unless the government sets up two separate commissions on incidents of violence, the party will not go ahead with talks. The third meeting between PTI founder Imran Khan and the government was held at Parliament House under the leadership of National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq where demands were presented. Opposition Leader NA Omar Ayub, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, former NA Speaker Asad Qaiser, Party General Secretary Salman Akram Raja, Chairman Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), Chairman Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and Chairman Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC ) Sahibzada Hamid Raza represented the PTI. The government team includes Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Advisor to Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Naveed Qamar, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Lawmaker Farooq Sattar Awami Party Lawmaker Khalid Mags. In a three-page document, the PTI mentioned that the party and its allies had gone through “blood and carnage” and their leader Khan and thousands of our supporters faced “unjust imprisonment”. The party’s written demands bear the signature of all six members of PTI’s negotiating committee, including CM Gandapura, former speaker Qaiser, general secretary Raj, MWM chief Allama Abbas and Raza of PTI-represented SIC. The document states that the party has started negotiations with the “government installed in Islamabad” to continue the struggle for the people’s rights. “The charter of demands is presented as a prerequisite for broader negotiations on the restoration of the constitution, the rule of law and respect for the people’s mandate, free and fair elections.” The two commissions, as demanded by the PTI, are to be headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan or three Supreme Court judges who are mutually nominated by the former ruling party and the government. In the previous two rounds, with the first on December 27, 2024, followed by the second session on January 2, 2025, the party did not present its demands as it waited for Khan’s nod. However, after many twists and turns, the PTI negotiators were allowed to meet the PTI founder – behind bars in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail – who gave them comprehensive instructions under which their demands were finalised. Speaking to the media after the meeting of the negotiating committees, NA Chairman Sadiq said that the opposition submitted its written demands and read them during the meeting. He added that PTI has asked for another meeting between their leader and the committee. The speaker also noted that the negotiations are moving in a positive direction. Siddiqui, spokesperson of the ruling committee, said that the ruling committee would give a written reply to PTI’s demands within seven days. According to him, PTI leader Ayub submitted a list of written demands to the speaker and also read them aloud during the meeting. Siddiqui further revealed that PTI has requested a meeting with its leader at Adiala Jail. He added that the press spokesperson of NA will announce the date of the next meeting of the negotiating commissions. Both committees have expressed confidence in the speaker, Siddiqui noted. PTI requirements The party demanded that the government form two commissions — consisting of the Chief Justice of Pakistan or three judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, to be mutually nominated by the PTI and the government within seven days. “The proceedings of both commissions must be open to the general public and the media,” the party said in the document. The PTI called on the federal government as well as the governments of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan to support the granting of bail or orders to suspend the conviction and sentencing of all political prisoners in accordance with the law. The party said it would identify political prisoners who were arrested after the events of May 9 and 24-24. November or after any other political event elsewhere. It also sought support for those who have been convicted and whose appeals or revisions are currently pending in court. The PTI had earlier outlined a total of 22 keys to the government, namely five demands regarding the formation of two commissions of inquiry. The party submitted nine applications in relation to the first commission of inquiry and seven applications in relation to the second commission. The demands include the release of nationally arrested political activists and the suspension of their sentences. First commission The first commission will be tasked with conducting an in-depth investigation into the legality of the events that led to Khan’s arrest on May 9, 2023, according to the document. The commission will also investigate the legality of the manner of arrest and those responsible for the break-in of the Islamabad High Court premises – from where Khan was arrested – by the Rangers and the police. Events across the country after Khan’s arrest, particularly the circumstances under which groups of individuals were able to enter various high-security locations and cause damage to property, should also be investigated, PTI said. CCTV footage at each location where damage caused by protesters is reported should be examined and, if CCTV footage is not available, the reasons for this lack of availability should be established. The manner in which those arrested in connection with the events of May 9 were apprehended and subsequently held in custody, as well as the circumstances of their release, should be investigated, the document said. Have the authorities violated the human rights of these individuals, including torture? How were the lists of those to be arrested compiled and determined? It should also be examined whether multiple FIRs were registered against the same person on May 9, 2023 and whether the subsequent arrest was an abuse of process. The PTI demanded an inquiry into cases of media censorship, restriction of coverage related to the incident and harassment of journalists. “Research the viruses and legality of the government’s internet shutdown order and its impact before, during and after the riots and fix accountability.” Second commission This latter body should be tasked with conducting an in-depth investigation into the events of November 24-27, 2024 in Islamabad – the days when the party led by KP CM Gandapur and Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi marched to Islamabad. PTI demanded that it be so