January 24, Islamabad, Pakistan: According to Dawn, Imran Khan, the founder and chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has ordered his party to end current negotiations with the government, citing the slow establishment of judicial commissions to look into significant political events.

PTI Barrister Gohar Ali Khan made this declaration, expressing Imran Khan’s frustration with the government’s failure to keep its promises.

In an effort to reduce political tensions, the PTI and the government have been having discussions. The PTI submitted its written requests at the third session of negotiations, which took place on January 16 after two prior rounds had already taken place. The formation of judicial commissions to look into the events of May 9 and November 26 was one of the party’s main requests. According to reports, development has stopped despite the government’s repeated claims, which has left the PTI becoming more irate.

After meeting with Imran Khan, Barrister Gohar announced outside Adiala Jail, “The PTI founder [has] said to call the talks off over the government’s failure to form the judicial commissions.” He clarified that while the government had promised to set up these committees within seven working days, the pledge had not been kept.

Gohar emphasized that while the PTI had hoped for further talks, the government’s lack of cooperation made the party rethink its position. He said that the PTI will only restart discussions if a three-judge committee was formed, adding that “negotiations cannot move forward if the commission is not announced today.” Additionally, he reiterated the PTI’s commitment to using legal and constitutional methods to achieve its objectives. “The PTI founder said that the party would go on with its activities in accordance with the Constitution and the law. We will unite other opposition groups and fight together on [Imran’s] orders,” Gohar said.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) responded to the PTI’s declaration by urging the opposition to continue having talks in order to maintain political stability. Siddiqui told reporters outside Parliament House that he didn’t understand the PTI’s decision to end talks.

“All I can say is that they were rushing to get there and are rushing to get out. They are returning with the same impatience with which they arrived. We request that they remain for a few days and not return; let the weather improve,” Siddiqui said.

The senator emphasized that in spite of many PTI provocations, the administration has shown moderation and remained receptive to discussion. He encouraged the PTI to change its position, pointing out that the governing coalition had “almost” agreed on the party’s demands. “They should reconsider if it is in their power and if they can form an opinion apart from their founder’s opinion,” added Siddiqui.

According to Dawn, he also asked the PTI to put its complaints in writing so that they could be discussed and resolved.

The establishment of two judicial commissions was one of the PTI’s listed demands. The first commission will look into what happened on May 9, 2023, when Imran Khan was arrested. Examining the arrest’s legality, the conduct of the police, and the ensuing countrywide demonstrations are all part of this.

The PTI asked for an investigation into the “legality of the manner of the arrest” as well as the “legality of the events that led” to the arrest. The party also requested an analysis of CCTV video from high-security sites and an investigation into the conditions that permitted groups to do damage there during the demonstrations. It also demanded that the treatment of those who were detained, the absence of accessible video, and suspected torture and other human rights abuses be looked into.

The PTI also called for an assessment of the effects and legality of the internet shutdowns and media bans that were implemented during the riots. “Did these people suffer from torture or other violations of their human rights? The PTI questioned how the names of those who will be detained were put together.

The events of the November 24-27, 2024, PTI demonstration in Islamabad will be the subject of the second commission that the party has asked. The PTI said that protestors were subjected to disproportionate force, including live fire and other harsh techniques.

An inquiry into “the number of the martyrs and the injured and of the persons who went missing after 24 to 27 November 2024” was demanded by the party. A study of hospital and medical facility records from this time period was also requested, since there were allegations of possible information suppression and manipulation.

“Did hospitals and other medical institutions’ records become altered? If yes, who gave the orders and gave the directive for this? The PTI asked. It also called for an investigation of the challenges encountered by anyone attempting to make formal complaints or pursue legal action in connection with the demonstrations.

PTI’s ties with the establishment and the government have drastically worsened after Imran Khan was imprisoned in August 2023. Over the last year, the party has staged many rallies, several of which descended into violence due to altercations with police authorities, according to Dawn.

The PTI’s decision to end the negotiations demonstrates the increasing distrust between the government and the opposition, despite previous optimism about the dialogue process. The future of political talks is still unclear since both parties seem set in their ways, despite the government’s calls for the PTI to change course.