The government’s negotiation committee convened in the National Assembly speaker's chamber under the chairmanship of Speaker Ayaz Sadiq to deliberate on the formation of the Judicial Commission on May 9, 2023 incidents, and respond to the opposition’s demands.

Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar briefed the committee on critical legal points, including a legal opinion on the commission's formation.

According to sources, the government committee has agreed to formulate a strategy based on the legal advice provided. A follow-up meeting with both the government and opposition negotiation committees has been scheduled for January 28 to discuss the next steps.

Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar highlighted legal aspects surrounding the Judicial Commission’s formation and its implications. Detailed consultations were held, focusing on the opposition’s letter and its legal considerations. 

Irfan Siddiqui provides updates

The government's negotiation committee spokesperson, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, spoke to the media after the session. He said the committee is scheduled to meet again tomorrow after a detailed consultation held on Wednesday. "A response to the opposition's demands will be prepared in the next meeting based on the legal advice," he added. 

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Irfan Siddiqui also confirmed to Samaa TV, "We have informed the speaker to convene the next meeting on January 28. Whether a commission will be formed or not will be decided on January 28. Speculations should be avoided until then."

Ijazul Haq

Negotiation committee member Ijazul Haq also spoke to the media, saying the opposition's written demands and their legal implications were considered in the meeting.

"Hopefully, the fourth session of committees of both sides will be called after the seven-working-day deadline," he said, adding that the government body's response to the PTI demands was not ready yet. 

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"No final decision has been made yet. Every aspect of the demands is being looked into," he declared. 

Gandapur's 'confession'

Meanwhile, sources say that the committee also discussed the alleged confessional statement made by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur during the last meeting of the two sides regarding the May 9, 2023 incidents.

The committee members were of the opinion that Gandapur admitted to PTI workers' involvement in the May 9 incidents and that some workers “went astray”. The sources further said that the KP chief minister suggested declaring punishments according to the intensity of the crime committed. 

Sources indicate that the government committee proposed incorporating this statement into its response to the opposition.

Barrister Gohar's reaction

On the other hand, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar has said that if there is no progress on forming a judicial commission, there will be no fourth round of negotiations. In his media talk outside Adiala Jail, the PTI chairman said three meetings had been held between both sides, and they discussed all the points.

"The government negotiation committee asked for our written demands, and we gave them," he remarked, adding that party Founder Imran Khan has instructed that if there is progress on the judicial commission, then they will move towards the fourth round of talks, otherwise, "That is it".