Buoyant PTI confirms Gohar, Gandapur met army chief

By News Desk

ISLAMABAD: Taking a U-turn, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar said on Thursday that he had called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir along with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

PTI Chairman Gohar, speaking to journalists in the Adiala jail courtroom, confirmed that he had met with the military chief after he kept on denying the meeting.

Explaining what had transpired during their rare talks with the COAS, the PTI chairman said that all matters and demands of the party were presented directly to General Asim Munir.

He termed direct negotiations with the establishment as a positive step towards resolving the ongoing issues. Barrister Gohar further said: “Ali Amin Gandapur and I held a meeting with COAS Munir, during which we outlined all of PTI’s concerns and priorities.”

PTI founder Imran Khan also confirmed to reporters that Gohar had met the army chief in Peshawar. Khan mentioned that his party had long been trying to get the other side on the negotiation table.

Sources, meanwhile, also mentioned that the PTI chairman was transported to Peshawar via a helicopter to meet the military’s chief.

The meeting reportedly occurred during COAS Munir’s visit to Peshawar, where he met top provincial political leaders and emphasised: “If there is a state, there is politics. God forbid, without a state, there is nothing.”

Elaborating on the reported meeting while speaking to Geo News, Gohar remarked: “What Imran Khan has said about my meeting with the COAS is correct”.

Meanwhile, KP Chief Minister Gandapur said that he and Barrister Gohar met the army chief along with other parties on the security situation.

At the Parliament House, before the meeting with government committee, when a journalist asked, Gandapur confirmed the meeting between the army chief and Barrister Gohar and said that his meeting with the army chief was related to security.

The confirmation comes after The News reported that backchannel talks between the government and the PTI, which paused a few weeks back amid focus on the formal dialogue process between the two sides, have revived and entered an important stage.

An informed source told the publication that two PTI leaders — Barrister Gohar and KP CM Gandapur — had an exclusive meeting with three very important persons. The meeting, the venue of which was neither Islamabad nor Rawalpindi, was held last Monday.

In the next meeting, a federal minister and two important persons will apparently meet the PTI side. However, the result of these meetings depends on the PTI’s future policies and its style of politics. It has to accept the system and distance itself from politics of agitation and confrontation.

Meanwhile, an explanation regarding the meeting between the army chief and PTI leaders came out. Geo News sources said that the discussion with Barrister Gohar and Ali Amin Gandapur in Peshawar was about the security situation, adding that the discussion with both leaders was held in the context of counter-terrorism issues.

According to sources, in the meeting Barrister Gohar tried to discuss political matters, but he was told: “You should discuss political matters with politicians.”

Sources say that the discussion was presented out of context and an attempt was made to politicise the discussion on security matters.

Meanwhile, the government and the opposition negotiation committees held the third round of talks here in Islamabad.

Talking to the media after chairing the third round meeting, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that negotiations between the government and the opposition were moving in the right direction and there was no need to worry.

The PTI team handed over written demands of their party to the Speaker. The government would respond to the demands within seven working days.

The Speaker told the media that he also shared his two demands with both the committees. He said that he wanted both the government and opposition to agree on Charter of Economy and joint stance against terrorism. He said these two demands would also be discussed during the course of talks.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) Senator Irfan Siddiqui read the communique that said: “Omar Ayub Khan handed documents containing demands of the PTI to the Speaker at outset of the meeting. Omar Ayub also read out PTI’s demand while participants from both sides presented their views. Both the sides decided that the government would give its response to the PTI demands within seven working days.”

Meanwhile, the members of seven coalition parties of the government, after consulting their leadership, would apprise the opposition committee of their views. The PTI demands pertain to the release of Imran Khan, party’s leaders and workers, and formation of judicial commissions on May 09 and November 26 events.

The Speaker would give the date of next meeting after consulting both the committees.

The communique said that the two committees appreciated efforts of the Speaker and expressed complete confidence in him. Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan who heads opposition committee, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Sunni Ittehad Council chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza, former NA Speaker Asad Qaisar, Majlis-e-Wahdatul Muslimeen head Senator Allama Nasir Abbas and PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja attended the meeting.

The government team was represented by Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Adviser to PM Rana Sanaullah Khan, former prime minister Raja Parvaiz Ashraf, PPP MNA Syed Naveed Qamar, Ejazul Haque, Khalid Magsi and Abdul Aleem Khan.

The PTI’s three-page charter of demands presented for the government committee, a copy available with The News, reads:

“The charter of demands is a prerequisite to wider negotiations with respect to the restoration of the Constitution, the rule of law, and respect for the people’s mandate, free and fair elections.”

The charter called upon the federal government to set up two commissions of inquiry in terms of the Commission of Inquiry Act 2017. The two commissions are to comprise the Chief Justice of Pakistan or three serving judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, mutually nominated by the PTI and the government within seven days. The conduct of the proceedings of the two commissions must be open to the general public as well as the media.

“The first commission be tasked to conduct an in-depth inquiry into the legality of the events that led to the arrest of PTI founding chairman Imran Khan on May 9, 2023, the legality of the manner of the arrest and those responsible for the break-in into the premises of the Islamabad High Court by the Rangers and the police;

“The events across the country after the arrest of Imran Khan; in particular the circumstances in which groups of individuals were able to reach various high security locations at which damage to property is said to have been caused; examination of the CCTV recordings at each location where damage is said to have been caused by protesters; if CCTV footage is not available the causes of this lack of availability;

“The manner in which those arrested in connection with the events of May 9 were apprehended and then kept in custody as well as the circumstances of their release; were the human rights of these individuals violated, including through torture? How were the lists of those to be arrested compiled?

“Were multiple FIRs registered against the same individual with respect to May 9, 2023 and sequential arrests carried out in abuse of the process of law?

“Review instances of media censorship and restrictions on reporting related to the incident, including harassment of journalists.

“Examine the vires and legality of government’s imposition of internet shutdowns and its impact before, during and after the unrest and fix responsibility.”

According to the charter, the second commission be tasked to carry out an in-depth inquiry into the following: The events of 24 to 27 November, 2024 in Islamabad. The following issues, in particular, be examined and inquired into:

“Was there firing of live ammunition and other forms of physical assault on the protesters in Islamabad? If so, who ordered the use of live ammunition and other violent actions against the protesters? To what extent was the use of force excessive? If so, who was responsible for the excessive use of force?

“The number of the martyrs and injured and of persons who went missing after 24 to 27 November, 2024?

“Examine and ascertain the state of CCTV recordings at various hospitals and medical facilities in Islamabad with respect to the period 24 to 27 November, 2024?

“Were the records of hospitals and other medical facilities tampered with? If so, under whose directions and command was this done? Were the hospitals prevented from releasing information about the fatalities and the injuries?

“Examine and ascertain the state of CCTV footage recorded at various premises from China Chowk to D Chowk on the Blue Area, Islamabad.

“What difficulties were faced by those seeking to register FIRs and initiate other legal action with respect to the events of 24 to 27 November?

“Review instances of media censorship and restrictions on reporting related to the incident, including the harassment of journalists.

“Examine the vires and legality of government’s imposition of internet shutdowns and its impact before, during and after the unrest and fix responsibility.

“The PTI, hereby, also calls upon the federal government, as well as the governments of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan to support, in accordance with the law, the grant of bails or orders suspending the conviction and sentence of all political prisoners, to be identified by the PTI, who have been arrested pursuant to one or more FIRs registered with respect to any event on May 9, 2023 or any event on 24 to 27 November, 2024 or any other political event anywhere or who have been convicted and whose appeals or revisions are presently pending before a court of law.

“The establishment of the two commissions identified in this charter is a necessary indication of seriousness of intent. We shall not be able to continue with the negotiations if the two commissions sought by us are not agreed to in principle and constituted forthwith,” the charter concluded. The document carried signatures of the six members of the opposition committee.

Meanwhile, talking to the media at the Parliament House, following the meeting, Omar Ayub said he presented the charter to the NA Speaker and then read it out before the meeting.

Replying to a question, he said that they looked forward for a meeting with the party founding chairman in an unmonitored environment. When his attention was drawn to the jail manual, he replied, “This meeting will not be about the security of Pakistan. It is our right to meet our leader, who is not convicted but under trial, facing political cases.”

About the appointment of new chief election commissioner and two ECP members, he said that the government had not contacted them but they had taken the first step by writing to the NA Speaker, while Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Shibli Faraz wrote to the Senate chairman on the constitution of parliamentary committee in this context.

Meanwhile, Rana Sanaullah said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a committee comprising members from all ruling parties to review the demands submitted by the opposition committee.

Flanked by the government’s negotiation committee head Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Sanaullah addressed a press conference in Islamabad to brief the media on a meeting between the PTI and the government’s negotiation committees.

“For now, I am presenting the initial opinion on the demands,” said Sanaullah, adding that the PTI demanded the release of its “political prisoners” and party founder Imran Khan.

Speaking about the PTI demands to form the chief justice-led probe commission on May 9, 2023, violent protests and the November 26, 2024 crackdown on the party workers, he said both matters had already been investigated. “An inquiry cannot be opened again on their demands while it is already in the courts,” he said.

The PM’s aide also rubbished the PTI’s claims that “hundreds of its workers were killed and went missing” following the November 26 crackdown on the demonstrators in Islamabad’s D-Chowk area last year.

“They could not even figure out as to how many of their workers were missing or injured in two and a half months. If hundreds of their workers had gone missing, their families would have staged a sit-in at D-Chowk,” he added.

Moreover, Sanaullah said the PTI did not even provide any details of its “political prisoners” or missing or killed workers. “It is hoped that the decision of £190 million case against the PTI founder and his wife will be announced tomorrow,” he said.

Irfan Siddiqui compared the PTI charter of demands to a charge sheet against the current government, calling it a “pack of accusations” largely based on unfounded allegations.

He stated that the government negotiation committee, after consulting with its coalition partners, would issue a formal written response to PTI’s demands within seven working days.

The government believes that negotiations should proceed without the pressure of deadlines. However, to maintain a constructive dialogue, “we have agreed a response deadline for January 26 or 27.”

Siddiqui stressed that the focus should remain on achieving tangible outcomes rather than adhering strictly to timelines. He underscored that certain issues, particularly sub judice cases, cannot be discussed during the negotiations due to legal constraints. “As per the Constitution, cases under judicial consideration cannot be part of these discussions,” he explained.

One of the key points of contention is PTI’s demand for the formation of a commission to investigate the May 9 and November 27 incidents, Siddiqui stated, adding that the government would consider the proposal carefully and evaluate all aspects before making a decision.

PTI has proposed 15 terms of reference (TORs) for the creation of two commissions.

Siddiqui indicated that if a commission is formed, the government would also include its own conditions in the TORs. In a bid to foster a positive atmosphere, Siddiqui indicated that the government did not view the recent media statements from PTI as a hindrance, despite their contentious nature.

He revealed that a meeting with the PTI’s founder chairman had been agreed upon and would take place in the coming days, in a conducive environment.

Responding to questions about PTI’s recent narrative, Siddiqui accused the opposition party of spreading falsehoods.

He claimed the PTI had failed to substantiate its claims regarding fatalities, injuries and missing persons, particularly related to the Nov 26 incidents.

“They have exaggerated the number of missing persons to hundreds without providing any evidence or names. How can we trace people without any concrete information?” he asked.

Siddiqui also strongly rejected PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan’s statement about the politicisation of the security-related meeting in Peshawar, which took place a few days ago.

He expressed disappointment over the statement, arguing that the PTI leader had undermined his own negotiating team. “No direct talks are being held between PTI and other parties, except with the government’s negotiating team,” Siddiqui pointed out.

Meanwhile, reiterating the party’s demands for justice, accountability, electoral transparency and meaningful dialogue, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram accused the government of misleading the public and suppressing dissent.

Addressing a press conference in Peshawar, he said that PTI’s calls for judicial inquiries and meaningful dialogue reflected its commitment to constitutional rights and democratic principles.

Sheikh Waqas criticised the government’s narrative about Imran Khan’s arrest, pointing to an alleged letter from Islamabad High Court judges claiming they were pressured and their families intimidated. “Demanding an inquiry by the chief justice is our right, and there is nothing wrong with it,” he asserted, calling for judicial independence.

He rejected the claims that PTI had abandoned its stance on the stolen mandate, accusing former federal minister Rana Sanaullah of misrepresenting the party’s position. “We are not stepping back. Our struggle for electoral justice continues, as the people’s vote does not belong to the government. Dialogue does not mean we will stop seeking justice for the stolen mandate,” Sheikh Waqas said.

He said that PTI’s dialogue agenda covered the issues of those who died during protests, the incident of May 9 and broader political crisis.

Sheikh Waqas also accused the government of denying the deaths of 13 PTI workers during protests, despite evidence shown by national and international media. He alleged that hospitals were closed to injured protesters, post-mortem examinations were obstructed, and medical staff were unavailable. “You have seen the funerals of our workers. Even your deputy prime minister, senators, and Rana Sanaullah himself admitted on the floor of the assembly that firing took place during the protests,” he stated.

The PTI leader dismissed allegations surrounding Imran Khan’s use of Toshakhana gifts, challenging the government to first disclose records of their own leaders.

“You accuse us of wrongdoing, yet your leader, supposedly in London for treatment, was doing something entirely different. These baseless accusations and fake cases against Imran Khan and his wife reflect the government’s fear of PTI’s growing momentum,” he said.

About the dialogue with the government, Sheikh Waqas clarified that Imran Khan approved the talks to address rising hostility between the people and state institutions. He stressed that PTI seeks “meaningful dialogue,” adding, “If the government thinks we will forget the stolen mandate, they are mistaken. We will demand justice at every forum.”

Responding to reports of backdoor discussions with the establishment, he confirmed the recent meetings between PTI leaders and the Chief of Army Staff related to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s security concerns. He dismissed speculation of secret agreements, stating, “There is nothing unusual about these meetings. Security concerns required them to be conducted in confidence.”

Responding to a question about the separate meeting between Barrister Gohar and Ali Amin Gandapur with the COAS, he stated, “During a meeting, there was governor and people from other political parties, so that’s why they couldn’t discuss something clearly because of political differences. So they had a separate meeting with COAS about security concerns of KP.”

Sheikh Waqas also criticised the government’s economic policies, highlighting declining industrial growth and mass emigration. “The federal information minister claims economic progress, but the reality is millions are leaving Pakistan because of the economic crisis,” he added.