Imran’s release remains PTI’s top demand in talks with govt

ISLAMABAD: The release of former prime minister Imran Khan remained Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) first and foremost demand in the high-stakes negotiations with the government, reveals a member of the committee from the ruling side who also confirmed that PTI continued to push for his freedom in both rounds of talks.

“PTI made Imran Khan’s release its first demand during the December 23 meeting,” said a member of the committee who requested not to name him. “Even in the January 2 meeting, they started by insisting on the release of Imran Khan and others, showing how central this demand is for them.”

When asked if the PTI wanted Imran Khan released from Adiala jail or placed under house arrest in Banigala, the source clarified that PTI is demanding his release through an executive order. They are not asking for house arrest but seeking his complete freedom from custody.

To a question about PTI’s public stance that Imran Khan has only demanded the release of party workers and leaders, the source disputed this, saying, “In both meetings, PTI’s first demand was the release of Imran Khan, followed by others.” The source added, “The others include Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Senator Ijaz Chaudhry, and party workers.” This highlights Imran Khan’s release as PTI’s top priority in the ongoing negotiations, he said. During the meeting, government committee members questioned PTI leaders about their demand for Imran Khan’s release through an executive order. “How many political prisoners were released this way? During Imran Khan’s tenure, Rana Sanaullah, Shehbaz Sharif, Irfan Siddiqui, Khawaja Asif and others from PMLN and PPP were arrested. Were they released through executive orders?” the source said. According to the source, the PTI team had no answers to this question. The source further claims that PTI wants Imran Khan’s release without any written agreement to avoid embarrassment. However, the source added, “Even if Khan is to be released, PTI should submit some written demands because the government needs to consult its legal team to discuss legal options for the release.”

The source commented, “It seems the PTI team either lacks confidence or does not have the mandate to decide without Imran Khan’s approval. On every issue discussed during the talks, PTI’s response is that they need to ask and consult Imran Khan first.”

When contacted, Senator Irfan Siddiqui said, “During our first meeting, it was agreed that PTI would submit a written charter of demands on January 2. However, they didn’t bring it in written form during the second meeting either. When the committee asked the reason, they replied that they needed to discuss the demands with Imran Khan first. Once he approves them, they will be presented in a written form.”

When asked if the PTI committee had been given access to Imran Khan to discuss the charter of demands, Senator Irfan Siddiqui said, “It was decided in the first meeting that PTI would bring the charter of demands in written form, and the government would facilitate a meeting with Imran Khan to discuss the talking points with him. The government has fulfilled its promise and helped them meet Imran Khan. Now, they want the government to arrange a separate meeting room where no one can listen to their conversation.” Siddiqui added that the government has complied with all the previous agreements.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PMLN) Parliamentary Leader in the Senate and spokesperson of the government negotiating committee Irfan Siddiqui cautioned on Saturday that the negotiation process could hit a snag if the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) failed to present its demands in writing as per its commitment.

“We could not make any progress in 12 days,” he said during an interview with a private media outlet.

Siddiqui explained that the government honored its words and facilitated the PTI team meeting with Imran Khan but the PTI seems indecisive about whether to present a ‘charter of demands’ in writing or not.

Responding to a question, he said that the PTI had promised in the first meeting on December 23 to present its demands in writing and it was also mentioned in the joint declaration. However, the demands were not presented on January 2, he said, adding, the PTI later requested another opportunity to consult Imran Khan to seek his advice and finalise the charter of demands.

“We accepted this, but if the written charter of demands was not presented in the third meeting too, the negotiation process may face difficulties.” To another question, the PMLN senator replied that being a political prisoner is determined by the nature of offense, not the identity of individual. “If, as a member of Senate, I commit murder and am jailed for it, I will not be considered a political prisoner. Such exemptions do not even apply to the President of Pakistan,” he said. He added that in addition to demanding the release of Imran Khan and other prisoners and establishment of judicial commissions, the PTI has also demanded that the whereabouts of 45 missing individuals be traced. “When we asked for the names, addresses and identities of these 45 individuals, the PTI did not have details available with them. How can the government trace people whose details even the PTI doesn’t know?”

Siddiqui clarified that the government neither made any demand from the PTI, nor even asked to withdraw their call for civil disobedience. “Neither the government nor any institution has offered to transfer Imran Khan from Adiala jail to Banigala or any other location, as per my knowledge,” he said. He also dismissed rumours of any parallel or behind-the-scenes negotiations. “The date for the third round of talks would be given by the PTI,” he said.

Sahibzada Hamid Raza, a member of the PTI negotiation team, denied the government’s claim that Imran Khan should be released through an executive order. He said, “We have made it clear to them that PTI leadership will face the cases, but the government should stop political victimization and negative tactics by the prosecution.” Hamid Raza also confirmed that PTI had discussed Imran Khan’s release with the government, but emphasized, “It should be under the constitutional and legal framework only.”