ISLAMABAD: Amid hopes that a third round of talks between the PML-N government and PTI will take place this week, Senator Irfan Siddiqui expressed apprehension that the new demands of the opposition party may sabotage the entire negotiation process.

Talking to Dawn on Sunday, Senator Siddiqui, one of the members of the government’s team holding dialogue with the PTI, said according PTI leader Asad Qaisar, the party was “reluctant to present its written demands” before the negotiation forum headed by Spe­a­ker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. “This can sabotage the talks.”

Mr Qaisar also demanded that the government should take all stakeholders and its allies on board for “unanimous outcome” of the talks.

While expressing reluctance in presenting written demands of the PTI, he said the minutes of the meeting should be considered their written demands.

He said the PTI would not continue negotiations with the government to bring down the political temperature unless it was granted “uninterrupted access” to ex-premier and party founder Imran Khan for consultation, saying that only he could make any final decisions. He had also demanded access to other incarcerated party leaders for political consultations.

“These three demands of the PTI never came before the committee in its two previous meetings, rather PTI leaders assured [us] after both meetings that they will soon present their demands in black and white,” he added.

Senator Siddiqui said as decided by the two sides, the PTI would give a date for their third meeting. “They will meet PTI jailed founder Imran Khan [today] (Monday) after which they will give date for the third meeting,” he said, while expressing hope it would be held in the current week.

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2025