Govt, PTI talks: Third session ended inconclusive

Published December 26, 2014
– Screengrab shows Shah Mehmmod Qureshi and Ishaq Dar speaking to the media in Islamabad
– Screengrab shows Shah Mehmmod Qureshi and Ishaq Dar speaking to the media in Islamabad
– Screengrab shows PTI and PML-N leaders speaking to the media in Islamabad
– Screengrab shows PTI and PML-N leaders speaking to the media in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The third session of dialogue between government and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) teams, held to reach an agreement on the Terms of Reference (TORs) for the proposed judicial commission – mandated to investigate rigging allegations in the 2013 general elections – concluded inconclusive on Friday.

Speaking to media representatives after attending the meeting held at the residence of PTI General Secretary Jahangir Tareen, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the two teams will meet again on Saturday to continue the dialogue process.

The meeting was held following rejection of the government’s draft for promulgation of an ordinance regarding formation of a judicial commission by the Imran Khan’s party.

Jahangir Tareen earlier had said that the draft, handed to his party during the parliamentary leaders’ meeting on Dec 24 by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, was rejected for ‘not being in line with what had already been agreed upon’.

Shah Mehmmod Qureshi told reporters today that he appreciates and congratulates the government for the efforts it has been making to resolve the deadlock. However, he added that he has returned a little disappointed from the meeting as he was expecting that today’s session would prove decisive.

The PTI vice-chairman said that there was not much time left to resolve the issue and the two sides might miss this opportunity emerged against the backdrop of deadly Taliban attack on a school in Peshawar.

Qureshi said that his party still has reservations over the draft being prepared by the government. However, he said he would not underestimate the practical steps taken for the progress. "We will meet again with the same spirit tomorrow" to sort the remaining issues, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, government’s representative Ishaq Dar said that a consensus has been reached on all clauses except three for promulgation of the ordinance regarding formation of a judicial commission to probe into rigging allegations.

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