ISLAMABAD: The Sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Founder, Aleema Khan said that her brother is willing to hold talks with the establishment, not out of personal interest, but for the sake of Pakistan.
Talking to the Journalists outside Adiala Jail on Thursday, Aleema Khan clarified that Imran Khan has rejected the notion that any official from the establishment approached the PTI founder. She stressed that any internal party members’ claims of negotiations should not be trusted. “The founder has clearly stated that no one has come to meet him. News of negotiations or deals is being deliberately spread to divert attention from real issues,” she told reporters. Aleema Khan expressed serious concern over the treatment of her brother in prison, saying that he is being kept in isolation and denied basic facilities. She said the PTI founder is not allowed access to books, contact with his children, meetings with family or the facilities of a prisoner despite court orders.
“Today, we waited for three to four hours outside the jail for the GHQ case hearing, but we were not allowed inside despite the judge’s orders. Our meetings are being obstructed,” she added. “The PTI founder told the judge My sister is outside; let her come in.” She also echoed her brother’s warning that the current political and economic instability, along with rising terrorism and threats from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demand unity and decisive action. “For the sake of Pakistan, the PTI founder is ready to talk with the establishment.”
“The founder has again warned today that Modi will attempt some mischief, especially given the situation in Balochistan,” she noted. Aleema criticised the delay in appointing a new chief election commissioner, saying that the current term has expired and no consultation has been made with the opposition, which is a sheer violation of the constitution. Separately, PTI senior leader Salman Akram Raja also addressed the media outside the Supreme Court. He confirmed that the PTI founder had reiterated during a meeting at Adiala Jail that he holds no personal desire for talks, but believes dialogue is essential for national unity.
“The founder says talks are necessary, considering the state of the country, and at this critical time, every organ of the state should join hands to face the external challenges” Salman Akram said. He criticised the manipulation of judicial processes and the alleged rigging of elections, calling the current political chaos a result of unconstitutional moves by those in power. “The founder believes that the chaos is not created by us — it was created by those who rigged the elections and suppressed the courts,” he stated. “Despite changing the composition of the bench, the struggle will continue.”
Salman emphasised that democracy cannot be strengthened unless the leader of the country’s largest political party is given a seat at the table. “If you exclude the largest political leader from the process, problems will not be solved. The nation will judge everything, including this case through live streaming,” he said.
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