The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has presented its ‘charter of demands’ to the government, calling for a judicial commission to investigate the events of 9 May and 26 November.

The written demands, which were shared with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, also include a call for the release of political leaders and workers currently imprisoned.

The charter, drawn up by Omar Ayub in his capacity as Leader of the Opposition and head of the PTI’s negotiating committee, outlines two primary demands.

The first requirement stipulates that the government set up two separate commissions under the Commission of Inquiry Act 2017, to be headed by the Chief Justice or three sitting Supreme Court judges. The PTI insists that these commissions must be formed within 7 days, with proceedings open to the public and the media.

A commission is specifically tasked to investigate the legality of Imran Khan’s arrest, including the actions of the Rangers and the police at the Islamabad High Court. It will also look into incidents that took place across the country after Khan’s arrest, including the examination of CCTV footage from sensitive locations and the treatment of those arrested during the May 9 protests.

The second part of PTI’s demand focuses on media censorship, restrictions on reporting and the government’s internet shutdown during the incidents. PTI has demanded accountability for these actions and seeks clarity on their legal and social implications.

Additionally, the charter calls for the immediate release of political prisoners, especially those arrested in connection with the May 9 events, and a review of several FIRs registered against people involved in the protests.

The development follows two previous dialogue sessions held on 27 December 2024 and 2 January 2025. The third round of talks, scheduled for 11.30 today in Parliament House, was called by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.

This long-awaited move comes after PTI’s negotiating committee visited former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. The meeting, which had earlier been delayed due to the party’s inability to meet their leader, paved the way for today’s talks.

The party has set a deadline of January 31, 2025 for the talks to reach a “logical conclusion”, although Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah has suggested extending this to February 28.