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Ali Zafar: PTI Founder Agrees to Two Key Demands for Negotiations
Barrister Ali Zafar reveals Imran Khan has agreed to two written demands for talks but warns negotiations will stop unless conditions for a judicial commission & prisoner releases are met.
ND
by News Desk
2025-01-08
Ali Zafar: PTI Founder Agrees to Two Key Demands for Negotiations

The parliamentary leader of the opposition in the Senate, Barrister Ali Zafar, has disclosed that the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, has agreed to present two written demands to the government, marking a significant step towards negotiations. However, Zafar made it clear that these talks would only move forward if two specific conditions are met: the formation of an independent judicial commission and the release of innocent prisoners.

In an exclusive conversation with SAMAA, Barrister Zafar emphasized that the PTI would not engage in further discussions until these conditions were fulfilled. He clarified that the purpose of the negotiations was to address significant political and judicial issues, with a particular focus on transparency and justice.

Two Key Demands: Independent Judicial Commission and Release of Prisoners

Barrister Zafar outlined the core demands from the PTI for the resumption of negotiations:

1.     Formation of an Independent Judicial Commission:
The PTI seeks the establishment of an independent judicial commission to investigate allegations surrounding recent political events. This demand, according to Zafar, is crucial to ensuring transparency and uncovering the truth behind various incidents that have sparked political and legal controversy.

2.     Release of Innocent Prisoners:
The second condition is the release of innocent individuals who have been arrested and imprisoned during recent political unrest. Zafar highlighted that these prisoners, many of whom are believed to have been wrongfully detained, must be released as a condition for the start of negotiations.

A Clear Stance on Negotiations

Barrister Zafar emphasized that these two demands are non-negotiable and form the basis for any future discussions. “If the government is genuinely interested in moving forward with negotiations, it must first address these conditions,” he said.

Potential for Election Talks

In addition to the immediate conditions for negotiations, Barrister Zafar also noted that once talks commence, the issue of elections would inevitably come up. He mentioned that the PTI would seek a written charter of demands from the government regarding the electoral process, further suggesting that political stability and fair elections are central to the party's agenda.

“We are ready to discuss all outstanding issues, including elections, but these issues can only be tackled once the foundational demands are met,” Zafar explained.

Imran Khan’s Role in Negotiations

Imran Khan, as the founder of PTI, continues to play a central role in the party’s strategy and negotiations with the government. His stance on an independent judicial commission and the release of prisoners reflects the party’s commitment to transparency and justice, which have been recurring themes in PTI's political narrative since its formation.

Impact on National Dialogue

These developments indicate that while there is an openness from PTI to engage in national dialogue, the party remains firm on its terms. The government's response to these conditions will be critical in determining whether or not the negotiations proceed further.

Barrister Zafar’s comments also underscore the importance of judicial independence and the rule of law in the ongoing political discourse, signaling that PTI is focused on ensuring that justice is served before any substantive political discussions can take place.

Conclusion: Negotiations Await Key Decisions

As the political temperature remains high in Pakistan, the opposition's demands for an independent judicial commission and the release of prisoners present significant hurdles for the government. With both sides at a standstill, the coming days will be crucial in determining the direction of the ongoing negotiations and the future of PTI's involvement in the political process.

 

 
Tagged:

PTI

ImranKhan

PakistanPolitics

BarristerAliZafar

Opposition
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