ISLAMABAD, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, the spokesperson for the government’s negotiation committee, called on PTI to decide whether it wants to pursue ‘backdoor’ or ‘front door’ negotiations, stressing that parallel talks at multiple levels are not feasible.
In an interview, Siddiqui, who is also the parliamentary leader of PML-N in the Senate, suggested that PTI notify its negotiation committee that talks with the government are no longer necessary, as it is satisfied with the discussions happening elsewhere.
Siddiqui pointed out that although leaders from all political parties participated in a meeting addressing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s security issues, the interim chairman of PTI described it as a “personal meeting and negotiation,” a view that was also endorsed by PTI’s founder.
Reacting to the PTI founder’s tweet calling the government dishonest and criticizing the negotiation team, Senator Siddiqui questioned why PTI would choose to negotiate with a government it considers dishonest.
He further recalled that the PTI founder had previously formed a negotiation committee with the same individuals, urging the speaker to request the prime minister to establish a government negotiation committee.
Siddiqui remarked, “If we are dishonest, why did you choose to negotiate with us?” He also referenced Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar’s alignment with the PTI founder’s position, especially regarding the call for a single law for both the rich and the poor, frequently citing the example of the State of Medina. According to this principle, his appeal should be addressed in due course.
During the committee meeting, PTI’s charter of demands was perceived as a charge sheet against the government. Senator Siddiqui clarified that both committees had previously agreed that any court ruling would not hinder the negotiation process.
He also mentioned that the government committee would provide a written response to PTI within seven working days, specifically by January 28.