ISLAMABAD: Imran Khan, the PTI founder, has decided to ‘step back’ from his rigid stance and has instructed his party leadership to establish contacts both inside and outside the Parliament to ease the ongoing political tension.
According to sources close to the PTI leadership, the party will engage in talks with various political parties outside the Parliament, while its lawmakers will also enhance relations with parties in the ruling coalition government.
Imran Khan’s decision came after his interaction with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, when he appeared for a hearing before the Supreme Court a day earlier.
During the hearing regarding the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law amendments, CJP Isa suggested that Khan go to Parliament to help resolve Pakistan’s problems, saying “the country needs to move forward.”
The incarcerated PTI founder, appearing before the Supreme Court bench via video link from Adiala Jail, where he has been held since August 2023, complained about facing political “victimization” since his ouster from power in April 2022.
The former prime minister has given a three-member party committee the authority to establish contact with the establishment, PTI sources said.
Additionally, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur is engaged in backdoor communications.
The sources revealed that it has been decided PTI would support the state for political and economic stability to de-escalate tension.
“The party will move forward by holding negotiations on multiple matters, including committees of the Senate and National Assembly,” the sources said.
Former president and PTI leader Dr. Arif Alvi, on June 5, claimed that the incarcerated party founder was being told to “strike a deal and leave the country.”
Alvi said that Khan rejected the offer and decided not to leave the country “at any cost.”
The former president predicted that those colluding to sentence Khan—the former prime minister—would face complete failure.
Commenting on dialogue offers, Alvi said that his party was ready to hold talks with “stakeholders but not with the non-stakeholders.” He urged stakeholders to let go of hatred and practice compassion.
He also said that stakeholders should not be afraid of any risks after the PTI founder’s release. Alvi demanded the release of the former prime minister, the supremacy of law in the country, and the return of the party’s mandate.
Alvi further stated that his party could not hold the incumbent rulers accountable, as they were as “powerless” as they came into power via “Form 47” and did not have the “authority” to make decisions.
On June 5, he reiterated that his party would hold dialogue with those who have the real power to make decisions.
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