Asad Qaiser Calls Government Negotiations a ‘Show’, Says Long March Probe Under Consideration

Senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Asad Qaiser has described the government’s negotiations with the opposition as a political formality, alleging that decisions concerning governor’s rule and an emergency had been made well before the talks.

Speaking to a private television channel, Qaiser revealed that the party was considering forming a fact-finding committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the recent long march.

He also rejected social media speculation about discussions during the PTI core committee meeting, saying Salman Akram Raja had not held Sohail Afridi responsible for the march’s outcome. Ali Amin Gandapur was also present at the meeting, according to Qaiser.

Qaiser maintained that the talks with the government were conducted merely for appearances, while decisions about imposing governor’s rule and an emergency had already been taken.

The remarks come amid political tensions following the long march and the subsequent end of the PTI-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Questions have emerged within opposition ranks over the march’s planning, objectives and outcome.

The proposed fact-finding committee could provide a forum for reviewing the decisions and coordination surrounding the protest. However, no final decision on the committee was provided in the reported remarks.

The disagreement highlights continuing divisions over the party’s political strategy and its engagement with the federal government.