ISLAMABAD: A third round of the talks between the government and the PTI will commence at Parliament House on Jan 16, when the opposition party is expected to share its demands with the government in written form.

The in-camera meeting, to be held at 11:30am, will be chaired by National Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, who is the head of the negotiations committee.

A committee member told Dawn that the third round would be a step forward towards finding a solution as the PTI will present its demands in writing to the committee. “Submission of written demands will itself be a breakthrough,” he said, adding that the atmosphere for the talks was peaceful and conducive.

Before this, two meetings have taken place, but without any significant progress. A source said that in the third meeting, the PTI could demand the formation of a judicial commission over the events of May 9 and its repercussions.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui, who is a member of the government committee, said that the PTI would present its demands in writing in the third meeting.

“We have to see whether these will be the only demands or if they will also suggest ways to implement them. For example, if they (PTI) demand the formation of a judicial commission, will they also suggest the terms of reference of the commission?” he asked.

The senator said the PTI took 42 days to submit its demands and it should not expect that the government would act promptly.

“We will share these demands with all coalition partners and seek their opinion, and then the final reply will be given,” he added. He said the government thought that the

PTI would share its demands with the National Assembly speaker, but it seemed the opposition party would table them in the committee meeting.

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2025