ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday refused to continue being part of the dialogue over the government’s failure to form judicial commissions to probe the May 9, 2023 and November 26, 2024 cases. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan told the media outside Adiala Jail that Imran Khan had ordered the party to withdraw from the dialogue amid the government’s row over the formation of judicial commissions as demanded by the PTI. Barrister Gohar said that although he had given the government a seven-day deadline, no progress had been made in setting up a judicial commission. He emphasized that PTI prefers solving problems through dialogue. However, if the government does not announce the commission, further rounds of negotiations will not take place. He added that negotiations could be resumed only if a three-member judicial commission is established. Barrister Gohar further said that Imran Khan reiterated his commitment to continue his efforts under the constitution and the law and to work with other opposition parties to advance their cause. The PTI chairman also reiterated that the party is not waiting for help from outside.
WHY JUDICIAL COMMISSION?
The PTI handed over its demands for formation of judicial commissions to probe the May 9, 2023 and November 26, 2024 incidents in black and white during the third round of talks. According to PTI’s list of demands, they have asked the federal government to set up two commissions of inquiry comprising the Chief Justice or three judges of the Supreme Court. The commissions should be formed under the Commission of Inquiry Act 2017, with the PTI and the government agreeing on the appointment of judges within seven days. It said the first commission should be tasked with investigating the May 9 arrest of Imran Khan, the entry of Rangers and police into the Islamabad High Court and the CCTV footage related to the May 9 events. In addition, the PTI demanded an inquiry into media censorship and harassment of journalists, as well as an investigation into the nationwide internet shutdown and identification of those responsible. The second commission was asked to focus on the events from November 24 to 27, particularly investigating the use of force against protesters in Islamabad, identifying those responsible for ordering the firing, and verifying the number of martyrs and injured through CCTV footage of hospitals and medical facilities. PTI also sought to explore the difficulties faced in registering FIRs and censoring media coverage. The PTI further called on the federal and Punjab governments, including Sindh and Balochistan, to issue orders to release or suspend the sentences of all political prisoners. Sources revealed that members of PTI’s negotiating committee signed the document in the opposition leader’s chamber and PTI General Secretary Salman Akram Raja also signed the demand.
