Sohail Afridi brings forth 7-point draft for negotiations with government

People who have occupied the state are treating us like a stepmother, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Peshawar: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi has made public seven-point draft for negotiations with government.

Sharing draft on social media, Sohail Afridi wrote that this is the draft sent by me to negotiating committee which I am placing before my nation. The whole nation should know that not a single one of these demands is unconstitutional and illegal. We are being considered second-class citizens. People who have occupied the state are treating us like a stepmother. These were, are and will remain our demands.

For political stability in the country, supremacy of constitution and law, continuity of democratic process, national unity, establishment of law and order and for resolving all political and national matters through mutual consultation and negotiations, consensus will be made on following matters:

1. A formal meeting will be arranged between Prime Minister of Pakistan and Leaders of Opposition in both houses in which detailed discussion will be held on all important political, national, constitutional, legal and democratic matters facing country, especially pending matters. Parties will be bound to ensure effective and workable progress within two months for resolution of said matters through mutual consultation and negotiations.

2. Prime Minister of Pakistan will form a joint political negotiation committee comprising representatives of government alliance, Pakistan Peoples Party and opposition parties, this committee will hold continuous negotiations with opposition on national and political matters, mutual differences and other important matters and will find workable solution with mutual consensus. There will be complete freedom of democracy, politics, judiciary and journalism. Committee will ensure notable progress regarding negotiations and solution within one month after its formation and will present its recommendations before relevant leadership.

3. All legal, human and medical rights available to Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in accordance with jail manual, constitution of Pakistan and prevailing laws will be provided without discrimination. Regarding their treatment, where legally applicable, necessary medical facilities and provision of treatment will be ensured keeping in view medical opinion, instructions and advice of their personal/nominated doctors.

4. In accordance with jail manual and relevant laws, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi will be provided right to meet their family members, nominated lawyers and authorized/nominated colleagues. Meetings will be held in accordance with law and jail rules and regulations, however facility of meeting will not be used by any party for such political or other purposes which are legally prohibited.

5. Process of consideration will be started/completed within ten days in accordance with constitution and law on petitions filed against sentences and other legal petitions by all detained persons including Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, women, elderly and sick prisoners, where legally possible. All cases will be decided by relevant courts and legal forums in accordance with constitution, law, transparent judicial procedure and principles of justice, without unjustified delay. Women who are serving political imprisonment, led by elderly Yasmin Rashid and Bushra Bibi, should be released soon showing humanitarian sympathy.

6. Effective, continuous and meaningful consultation between federal and provincial governments will be ensured for ending ongoing terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, protection of life and property of people and establishment of permanent and sustainable peace. For this purpose, current policies and measures will be formally reviewed and appropriate amendments will be made therein as needed. Authorized representatives of federal and provincial government will hold formal meeting within 72 hours and formulate a clear, comprehensive and workable strategy for establishment of law and order through mutual consultation. Implementation of this strategy within ambit of constitution and law will be joint responsibility of federal and provincial governments.

7. After written assurance of effective implementation on above assurances and decided measures by federal government, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will announce cancellation of current long march, however if federal government violates agreed assurances, negotiation process or constitutional and legal requirements or unjustifiably stalls negotiation process, then Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will reserve its right to peaceful, democratic and legal protest in accordance with constitution and law.

Meanwhile, reacting to draft shared by Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that this may be his possible draft which circulated late night in such manner that previously agreed drafts between both parties could be sabotaged.

Interior Minister says that negotiation teams had finalized a separate draft on which both parties had agreed, apart from that KP Terrorism Related Implementation Plan is also included.