Jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan has set a December 14 deadline for the negotiating committee of his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, to come up with a resolution to the three demands set before the government.
“Khan Sb has not said talks will continue for an indefinite time,” PTI leader Raoof Hasan said while appearing on News Insight with Amir Zia which was aired on Aaj News on Thursday.
“The committee formed has until December 14 to have talks. Khan Sb has said see if you have substantial input or proposal then we can discuss and see how we will go,” he added.
If it fails, Hasan stated that the PTI founder has given a December 16 deadline for starting a civil disobedience movement.
Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan formed a negotiating committee after the November 26 incident, which according to the PTI killed its 12 supporters.
Khan has warned the government of a civil disobedience movement if their demands for the release of party workers and a judicial commission on May 9 and November 26 were not met.
Earlier in the day, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar denied “rumours” of any talks with PTI and clarified that Khan’s party members called on National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq to offer condolences on the demise of his brother.
PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat told Aaj News’ Rubaroo that the government was engaging with the PTI in talks at “some level” to normalise the political situation in the country.
When asked whether the protest movement would be successful, Hasan said that its contours were not yet decided and it would be finalised by December 14. “It will be announced on December 15 subject to the condition that talks do not progress.”
Hasan confirmed that his party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was in contact with the security agencies and intelligence because of the provincial situation and long border with Afghanistan.
“We have daily basis interaction with them on multiple issues,” he said and added that the party’s decision to postpone the protest before November was taken after contact with them.
“We have connection with them on a regular basis in KP and also on other matters timely.”
The PTI leader admitted that the government cannot “immediately” fulfil its three demands, but the “political prisoners” could be released as part of the confidence-building measures.
