Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has softened his previously firm position and instructed party leaders to initiate dialogues within and outside Parliament to mitigate current political tensions.
Sources indicate PTI leadership will engage in discussions with various political entities outside Parliament and enhance interactions with members of the ruling coalition inside Parliament.
The shift follows Khan’s conversation with Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa, during a Supreme Court hearing regarding amendments to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law. Justice Isa encouraged Khan to contribute to solving Pakistan’s issues through Parliament.
Khan, detained in Adaila jail since August 2023, voiced concerns at the hearing about political victimization since his April 2022 removal from office.
Sources noted that he had empowered a three-member party committee to liaise with the establishment. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur reportedly engages in discreet discussions.
It is agreed that PTI will support political and economic stabilization measures to reduce national tension. The party plans to advance through negotiations, including discussions on Senate and National Assembly committee matters.
On June 5, former president and PTI leader Dr. Arif Alvi claimed Khan was pressured to negotiate an exit from the country but refused.
Alvi stated that those attempting to convict Khan would not succeed and emphasized that PTI was open to dialogue with stakeholders but not with those outside this circle.
He urged stakeholders to adopt a compassionate approach and not fear risks post-Khan’s potential release. Alvi called for Khan’s release, legal supremacy, and the restoration of the party’s mandate.