The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf could not present the ‘Charter of Demands’ during the second round of negotiations with the government in Islamabad on Thursday, as the party members sought access to meet former Prime Minister Imran Khan in jail to formulate such a request.

The talks began after more than a week to soothe the political temperature in the country. The in-camera meeting started an hour late in a National Assembly room in Islamabad.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Adviser to the PM on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, former NA speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, PPP MNA Syed Naveed Qamar, MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar, IPP leader Aleem Khan, PML-Z leader Ijazul Haq, and Khalid Maqsi from the government side attended the meeting.

The PTI side was represented by Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, Sunni Ittehad Council leader Sahibzad Hamid Raza, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, PTI leader Salman Akram Raja, Asad Qaiser, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen leader Raja Nasir Abbas.

Since former prime minister Imran 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 December 23, marking the beginning of much-anticipated negotiations aimed at reducing political tensions in the country. It ended with the decision that Khan’s party would present its demands to the committee, which it would review and present to the prime minister.

Some of the ministers have criticised the PTI for their approach after the December 23 meeting. While appearing on the Aaj News programme Rubaroo last week, Senator Siddiqui said both sides in the first meeting agreed that statements by leaders from outside the committee would not affect the talks.

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.”

Aaj News correspondent Naveed Akbar said that talks between the PTI and the government were inconclusive and the matter has moved on to the next round of talks.

Official statement

PTI leaders demanded the release of “political prisoners” including PTI founder Khan and other senior leaders. “They also said the government should not be an obstacle to PTI’s pleas for seeking bail,” said the official statement.

They reiterated their demand for the establishment of a judicial commission on May 9 and November 26 to ascertain facts.

“The PTI committee informed that they should get an opportunity to meet, discuss, and seek guidance from PTI founder Imran Khan in the Adiala Jail to present the ‘Charter of Demand’ in writing,” it said.

They were of the view that Khan’s guidance was “very important” since he had given the permission to start the negotiation process.

Leaders representing Khan assured that they would present the “officially present ‘Charter of Demand’ in writing” in the next meeting after the access to the ex-PM.

No objection to PTI’s request: Dar

In response, Deputy PM Dar said that the government’s committee was hopeful a document from the PTI in the meeting to continue the dialogue process.

“But he [Dar] said we have no objection that the PTI committee brings its ‘Charter of Demand’ after seeking guidance from Imran Khan Sahab so that both committees take forward matters properly,” it said.

It was decided that the date for third meeting next week would be decided after PTI committee meets Khan.

‘My role is that of a facilitator’

“Today marks our second meeting of the negotiation committee. Some of our colleagues were not present in the first committee. The first negotiation committee was held in a very positive and pleasant environment,” NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said as he presided over the meeting.

He mentioned that the issues discussed in the first committee meeting have been acted upon. “My role is that of a facilitator.”

NA Speaker Sadiq expressed hope that the parties involved in the negotiation committee would conduct discussions positively.

“My effort is to bring important issues facing the country, including terrorism and the economy, under consideration in this committee,” he said, “we are all Pakistanis and it is our responsibility to resolve Pakistan’s issues.”

The NA speaker urged everyone to work together to address the challenges facing the country.

Prior to such negotiations, a meeting took place between the leaders of the government and the opposition with the NA speaker. Sources stated that the leaders consulted with the NA speaker, with participants including Omar Ayub, Asad Qaiser, and Sher Afzal Marwat.

Sadiq stated that positive “feedback is coming from both sides, and a better solution is expected, with negotiations helping to reduce tensions.”

PTI committee consults Khan

Before starting the second round of negotiations between the government and opposition committees, the PTI leaders consulted with Khan during a hearing at the Adiala Jail. PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan expressed hope that the New Year would bring “positive changes.”

Reports Salman Akram Raja and party senator Ali Zafar met with the PTI founder. The meeting focused on potential final consultations before negotiations with the government.

In an informal conversation with reporters outside the jail, Raja stated that they remained firm in their position and were hopeful for the success of the negotiations.

He mentioned that the PTI founder has mandated them not to back down from their demands, reiterating that negotiations should not be viewed as a weakness.

“We are discussing the restoration of the Constitution and the rule of law in the country. It now depends on the government how seriously they take these matters. Meeting with the government will reveal whether they have the authority to negotiate. If the government is willing to engage in talks, there may be a way forward.”

Meanwhile, the PTI chairman told reporters in the NA that all parties should listen to each other and that there should be “no political discrimination.” He believes that the negotiations should be successful.

Earlier, Gohar had emphasised the importance of approaching the negotiations with an “open heart,” suggesting that sitting together could lead to fruitful discussions and a quick resolution if efforts were made.

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‘Talks are must’

On the occasion, Ayub stated that engaging in talks with the government was a “necessity.” He acknowledged that while the government is in power, discussions must still take place with them.

“Political negotiations are essential, and we will present our demands to see how far the conversation goes,” he said.

NA Speaker Sadiq stressed the need for a dialogue for the betterment of Pakistan. Both the government and opposition would present their demands, he said.

Sadiq highlighted that positive feedback came from both sides and that sitting together often leads to solutions for issues. “We are all Pakistanis, and we should work for the betterment of the public. Discussions on the ‘Charter of Democracy’ took place in the last session and we will continue that dialogue. Negotiations will help reduce tensions and improve the environment.”

According to the NA spokesperson, the timing for the meeting was changed. The meeting took place at 3:30pm instead of the previously scheduled 11:30am.

The time change was made at the request of the members, the spokesperson added.