ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan has sought release on parole to help defuse rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, according to his sister Noreen Khan. Speaking to reporters after visiting the ex-premier at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Noreen said that Khan was deeply saddened by the recent border clashes between the two countries and expressed his willingness to facilitate dialogue.
“Imran Khan was hurt by the situation with Afghanistan,” she shared, adding that he urged both nations to engage in talks to peacefully resolve their issues. She also noted that Khan was distressed over the expulsion of Afghan nationals from Pakistan, calling for a more compassionate approach.
The 71-year-old leader, imprisoned since August 2023 on multiple charges including corruption and terrorism, has consistently advocated diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan’s Taliban regime. His call for mediation comes amid escalating violence along the border, where Pakistani forces recently carried out retaliatory strikes following unprovoked attacks from across the frontier.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed earlier today that Pakistan agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire starting at 6pm, following a request from the Afghan Taliban government. The temporary truce comes after days of intense clashes that left several Pakistani soldiers martyred and over 200 militants eliminated in retaliatory operations.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that the ceasefire remains “fragile,” cautioning that Pakistan reserves the right to respond with full force if hostilities persist. Speaking on a Geo News programme, he criticised “a flood of lies” emanating from Kabul and accused certain Afghan factions of acting as proxies for India.
“It is fragile and I don’t think this will last long,” Asif said, reiterating that Pakistan has both the right and capability to defend its sovereignty. He underscored Islamabad’s preference for diplomacy but maintained that peace would only be possible if the Afghan Taliban demonstrated genuine intent to de-escalate.
The minister also welcomed potential mediation efforts from global partners, including former US President Donald Trump, and expressed hope that allies such as Saudi Arabia would step in to promote regional stability.
As the border crisis continues to unfold, Khan’s proposal adds a new dimension to the ongoing debate over how Pakistan should navigate its complex and volatile relationship with the Taliban-led government in Kabul.
