ISLAMABAD: The incarcerated ex-prime minister and founding chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan on Tuesday rejected the government’s appeal to withdraw his call for a ‘civil disobedience movement’, saying it remain in place unless there is no progress in the talks.
Khan turned down the government’s request during a meeting with senior leaders of his party who visited him in Adiala Jail, and informed him about the request, as well as, the progress in talks with the government.
Sources familiar with the developments told Business Recorder that Khan instructed his party leaders to continue negotiations while maintaining pressure on the government until substantial progress is achieved in the parleys.
They said that the former prime minister said that he would not withdraw the call for a civil disobedience movement until the government shows a genuine commitment to engaging in negotiations.
He reiterated his demand to form a judicial commission to probe into May 9 mayhem and November 26 massacre of his party workers at D-Chowk, saying these investigations are essential for any substantive dialogue, as the party seeks justice for the injustices it has endured over the past two years.
The sources said that Khan appointed Sahibzada Hamid Raza, the chairman of Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), as the spokesperson for the negotiation team.
Additionally, PTI’s Sheikh Waqas Akram, Salman Akram Raja and Gohar Ali Khan were assigned the responsibility to engage with the international media.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2024
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