Considering PTI threatening to begin a civil disobedience movement, the Pakistani government under the leadership of Shehbaz Sharif has constituted an apex committee with which to initiate formal dialogue with Imran Khan’s PTI.
The committee comprises Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, political aide Rana Sanaullah, Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, and other key officials with the goal of resolving the intensifying political tensions. PTI hailed the move as a “constructive step” towards resolution of the crisis.
“This is a constructive step,” said PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan. “We need meaningful talks within a set timeframe as it is a sensitive situation.”.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, who had earlier offered to mediate, has invited both sides to meet at his chambers on Monday to facilitate discussions. PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram confirmed the party’s acceptance of the invitation and said progress from the meeting would be relayed to the party’s founder, Imran Khan, for further decisions on the civil disobedience threat.
PTI had issued a warning of launching the movement, starting with a “remittance boycott,” if its demands for the release of under-trial political prisoners and formation of a judicial commission to probe into the incidents of May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024, were not met.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s military courts sentenced 25 civilians to prison terms of 2–10 years for attacks on military installations during the May 2023 riots, which followed Khan’s arrest in a corruption case. Hundreds were arrested nationwide, with over 100 suspects handed to military authorities for trial.
Khan, who is currently sitting in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, had already faced multiple legal challenges against him since his ouster in April 2022. However, both sides have now started working on their differences as PTI has temporarily deferred the civil disobedience call.
