Imran Khan called off talks with the government over its failure to constitute a judicial commission within the promised seven-day period

ISLAMABAD

Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has slammed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) over its decision to call off talks with the government. He said that the government was deliberating on a "middle ground" by offering to constitute a committee instead of a judicial commission, The Express Tribune reported.

In his remarks on a private news channel, Tarar said, "It is not necessary to constitute a commission...we were deliberating on a middle ground to take things forward." He accused the Imran Khan-founded party of acting with "malicious intent" and taking a "hasty decision”.

He said, "Our response to PTI's demands was to come," adding that "extensive discussions" had been held on the issue. Criticising the PTI over its decision, he said, "They should have found a legitimate excuse to prove they had been victimised. Now, the onus is on them." 

His remarks came after PTI founder Imran Khan called off talks with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led government over its failure to constitute a judicial commission within the promised seven-day time period.

Speaking to reporters outside Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail, PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan announced that the decision was taken after Imran expressed frustration over the government's inaction, The Express Tribune reported.

Gohar stated, "The founder of PTI has categorically announced that no further rounds of negotiations will take place." He said, “The government made announcements but has yet to follow through, which is why Imran Khan decided to end the negotiations." 

The talks aimed to de-escalate political tensions began between the PTI and PML-N-led government in December and so far, three rounds of negotiations have taken place.