The government would wish to settle all the matters before the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s January 31 deadline for talks with the ruling coalition, Irfan Siddiqui, the government’s negotiation committee spokesperson, said on Saturday.

“I acknowledge PTI’s feelings and demands. I can feel that the PTI wants talks not to get long and demands are met on time,” he said while appearing on the Aaj News programme Rubaroo via video link. “I can feel that it is their planned approach, which is not wrong. We will wish that matters are settled before January 31.”

Since Khan’s imprisonment last year on multiple charges, the relationship between the PTI and both the government and military establishment has soured significantly. The deterioration has been marked by protests that often turned violent amid government crackdowns.

In light of the unrest, Khan formed a five-member committee to engage in talks with “anyone,” indicating a change in the PTI’s parliamentary approach. In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assembled a committee composed of ruling coalition members.

The first meeting between the government and PTI committees took place on Monday, marking the beginning of much-anticipated negotiations aimed at reducing political tensions in the country.

The PTI has set a January 31 deadline to finalise the negotiations. Earlier, Sanaullah indicated that the government would be willing to “accommodate such a request.”

Siddiqui added that making things complex was not in favour of the government. The government would see the PTI’s demands, even if they are difficult to fulfil, he said.

He stressed the need for dialogue, saying that through talks the country was able to bring back its forces from East Pakistan after its fall in 1971.

In response to a question, he said both sides in the first meeting of the negotiation committee agreed that statements by leaders from outside the committee would not affect the talks.

When asked, he said that he was hopeful and issues were resolved when leaders sit together. “Still I think if the two committees reach a conclusion then we will have suggestions, but there are many ifs and buts.”

He added that the success of any negotiation demands consensus of both sides where they would make concessions on their demands and admit some.

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PTI’s information secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram, who was also on the show via video link, said that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari should name countries who are allegedly interfering in Pakistan’s matters and give statements against the country.

He said that the PTI has hopes for the country’s judicial system.

In response to a question, Akram acknowledged that the Pakistan Army’s spokesperson welcomed the talks between the government and the PTI. But he said he could not understand why the Inter-Services Public Relations director general criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and its people.