- PTI chairman terms it ‘unfortunate’ that political disputes aren’t being resolved through dialogue
- Says PTI founder Imran Khan had authorised Mahmood Khan Achakzai to lead any negotiations
- Blames government for delaying formation of judicial commission and prisoner release process
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Friday categorically denied that any negotiations were currently underway between the party and either the federal government or the military establishment, lamenting that it was “unfortunate” political disputes in the country were not being addressed through political means.
Speaking on a private TV channel, Gohar recalled the unsuccessful history of talks between the PTI and the previous coalition government, saying earlier efforts had failed to produce any tangible results.
“When we announced that our mandate was stolen in March 2024, Khan sahib formed a committee to hold talks,” he said. “But when the talks did not take place, people said ‘you only want to talk to the establishment.”
He added that PTI founder Imran Khan had proposed that Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai lead any dialogue effort, saying, “If he brings us any offer, we will consider it.”
Gohar noted that while talks between the PTI and the government had begun in late December last year to lower political tensions, the process stalled over key issues such as the formation of a judicial commission and the release of PTI prisoners.
From December through January, both sides—the PML-N-led coalition and the PTI—accused each other of derailing the talks and lacking seriousness. A much-anticipated meeting between the PTI delegation and Imran Khan at Adiala Jail on January 12 paved the way for a third round of negotiations, but the PTI later boycotted the fourth round, following Imran’s directive to call off talks due to the delay in setting up judicial commissions.
The PTI chairman added that a second committee was formed on November 26, yet no progress followed, saying the government “did not take the issue seriously.”
“Even when we and the government formed committees after November 26, we could not meet for two weeks,” Gohar said. “They did not want to meet us after that. In these circumstances, we did not want to sit and gossip for a photo opportunity.”
He stressed that the PTI’s intent had always been to seek political solutions to the country’s challenges. “We wanted to bring some issues to the table because we understood that if we found a political solution to political issues, it would strengthen democracy, the Parliament, and both parties,” he said. “But it didn’t happen—so the matter didn’t move forward.”
Commenting on military operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gohar said the PTI had convened multiple all-party conferences on the issue—in January, July, and September this year—to ensure an inclusive political approach.
“Intelligence-based operations are referenced in our press releases,” he explained, “but there cannot be collateral damage or politicization. People displaced in prior operations have still not rebuilt their homes.”
