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Wednesday January 08, 2025

Govt braces for PTI’s mandate demand as party ‘faces hurdles’ in meeting Imran

"Whether now or later, PTI will definitely demand its mandate," says Rana Sanaullah

By News Desk
January 07, 2025
PMs aide on political affairs Rana Sanaullah addresses a press conference in Islamabad. — APP/File
PM's aide on political affairs Rana Sanaullah addresses a press conference in Islamabad. — APP/File

ISLAMABAD: Amid ongoing talks between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and the government, the federal government on Monday said that the PTI was bound to demand its mandate, which the party claims was "stolen" during the February 8 general elections, with the opposition castigating authorities for "not allowing" meeting with incarcerated party founder Imran Khan.

"Whether now or later, PTI will definitely demand its mandate," Prime minister's aide on political affairs Rana Sanaullah said while speaking on Geo News programme 'Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath'.

After months of a political tug-of-war, the coalition government and the embattled PTI finally sat down to defuse tensions, with the Khan-founded party initially putting forth two initial demands: the release of all political prisoners and a judicial probe into the events of May 9 and November 26.

During the second round of talks — being held under chairmanship of National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, the PTI negotiation team sought frequent meetings with party founder Imran Khan to finalise the "charter of demands".

While the PTI has been quite vocal about its key demands — the release of political prisoners and a judicial probe into the events of May 9, 2023 and November 26 crackdown — it could not share these demands with the government committee in writing.