ISLAMABAD: The incarcerated leader and founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan accepted the dialogue offer extended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
PTI insiders say the party will now formally approach the government to proceed with the dialogue. The party believes past efforts at negotiations faltered under media scrutiny and are, therefore, advocating for a more discreet and focused approach this time. Imran Khan has permitted PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, who met him at the Adiala jail on Monday, to hold dialogue with the government. The former premier, however, has expressed a strong preference that these talks be conducted away from the glare of television cameras to ensure meaningful outcomes.
Barrister Gohar confirmed that he had conveyed the prime minister’s offer to Imran Khan. However, he declined to share details of the discussion or the direction taken by Khan. “I can’t divulge what was discussed between us,” said the chairman. The development follows PM Shehbaz Sharif’s recent speech on the floor of the National Assembly, where he invited PTI to join a national dialogue. While Barrister Gohar welcomed the proposal at the time, party circles had made it clear that no progress could be made without Khan’s explicit consent.
Sources within PTI also revealed that Imran Khan wants the talks to have the backing of the military establishment. One source added that Khan is even open to meeting with a representative of the establishment to facilitate the process. it is important to mention here that the move comes amid growing calls for political reconciliation in the country following the recent misadventure by India. Whether this behind-the-scenes dialogue will lead to a breakthrough remains to be seen.
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