ISLAMABAD:

Tempers appear to be flaring again as the formation of a judicial commission remains the sticking point between the government and the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), with the latter saying there will be no further talks with the ruling alliance if The commission has not been appointed.

The PTI’s statement came shortly after government negotiating committee spokesperson Irfan Siddiqui announced that the opposition party would be informed of the government’s response in writing on January 28. He added that no decision had yet been taken on the formation of a judicial commission.

The former ruling party has demanded the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the incidents of 9 May 2023 and 26 November 2024. It is also calling for the release of all political prisoners, including the party’s founder, Imran Khan.

At a press conference in the federal capital on Wednesday, PTI leader Omar Ayub confirmed that there would be no fourth round of talks with the government’s negotiating team unless the judicial commission is formed. He was flanked by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and other party leaders.

“The third round of talks with the government has ended. The government had promised to arrange a meeting with PTI’s (founding) chairman (Imran Khan). We have repeatedly requested it, but the government has failed to facilitate the meeting.” Ayub said. “If the commission is not formed according to our demands, there will be no further negotiations [with the government]” he added.

Before that, the government’s negotiating committee called a meeting in the Speaker’s Chamber of the National Assembly to discuss PTI’s demands.

Later, while addressing the media, Irfan Siddiqui stated that the committee had sought detailed legal opinions on PTI’s demands. He added that the consultations would continue on Thursday (today) and Friday (tomorrow).

“We will give a written reply to PTI on January 28. However, no decision has yet been taken on the formation of a judicial commission,” Siddiqui said.

He noted that the consultation process would continue and that several matters would be reviewed.

Ijazul Haq, a member of the government’s negotiating team, told reporters that the committee was still working on PTI’s letter outlining their demands. “We have thoroughly reviewed every point raised by PTI. However, no final decision has been taken yet and the reply is still in process,” Haq said.

Separately, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif criticized the PTI over its demand to form a judicial commission.

The Minister of Defense stated to the media outside Parliament that those involved in the incidents on 9 May had already been sentenced. He asked what further investigations the Judicial Commission would undertake.

He slammed the PTI and accused the party’s supporters of inciting unrest through social media.