PTI ‘ready for talks’, hints at civil disobedience otherwise
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced its willingness to engage in dialogue with any party, whether “humans or farishtay (angels)”—a subtle nod toward the establishment. Senior PTI leader Omar Ayub Khan shared the shift in the party’s negotiation stance, signaling flexibility from its previous position of only engaging with the military establishment.
The announcement comes just days ahead of the PTI’s proposed civil disobedience movement, which was called by the party’s incarcerated founder, Imran Khan. Last week, Khan warned the government of launching the movement if demands for a judicial probe into recent crackdowns on PTI supporters and the release of political prisoners were not met.
Also Read:
To spearhead negotiations, Khan announced a five-member committee comprising Omar Ayub, CM Gandapur, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Salman Akram Raja, and Asad Qaiser. The committee’s key demands include:
- A judicial commission to investigate the May 9, 2023, violence and the November 26 crackdown on PTI protesters.
- The immediate release of political prisoners associated with the party.
“If these demands are not accepted, a civil disobedience movement will begin on December 14,” Khan stated, placing the responsibility for the movement’s consequences squarely on the government.
In a press conference, Omar Ayub criticized the current government, dismissing the idea of a national government as a solution to Pakistan’s challenges. “At present, there is only fascism and baton [violence] in the country,” he said, emphasizing the importance of rule of law and justice to address the ongoing crisis.
Senate opposition leader Shibli Faraz echoed these sentiments, labeling the coalition government a “fake regime” bent on implicating PTI leaders in baseless cases. The party faces hundreds of cases related to the May 9 violence and recent protests, which PTI leaders argue are politically motivated.
PTI leaders, including Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, claimed that 12 supporters were killed during their recent protest in Islamabad. The government, however, denied these allegations, stating that no live ammunition was used. Instead, officials reported that four law enforcers, including three Rangers personnel and a policeman, were martyred during the unrest.
Sources within PTI suggest that many party leaders are against launching the civil disobedience movement immediately. Disagreements within the party have prompted discussions to finalize a unified strategy before the December 14 deadline. Some leaders reportedly plan to request a postponement of the movement to recover from setbacks, including the November 24 protest fiasco.
Read all the Breaking News Live on pakistantimes.com and Get Latest English News & Updates from Pakistan Times. Follow us on Whatsapp channel for more.
