Opposition Alliance decides on accepting ‘any govt offer’ to ‘end political deadlock’

• TTAP consultative session authorizes Achakzai, Raja Nasir Abbas to represent alliance in talks

• Opposition Leader in Senate urges govt to improve engagement with incarcerated Imran Khan, promising ‘we [opposition] will not let your govt fall’

• PTI leaders reiterate calls for medical treatment of jailed founder under personal physicians, urging end to confrontation with state institutions

 ISLAMABAD: The opposition alliance, Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aiyeen Pakistan (TTAP), on Thursday decided to accept “any government offer” to hold negotiations aimed at ending the political deadlock amid the ongoing government-PTI impasse over the treatment of former prime minister Imran Khan, it emerges on Thursday.

According to TTAP sources, the decision was taken during a consultative meeting of the alliance in Islamabad late on Wednesday night.

The meeting was attended by National Assembly Opposition Leader and Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Senate Opposition Leader and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, TTAP leader Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, and others.

The TTAP sources said the participants conducted a detailed review of recent statements made by Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah before agreeing to give a “positive response” to the government’s invitation for dialogue.

Earlier this week, Sanaullah, speaking on the floor of the Senate, reiterated the government’s offer for negotiations, noting that his party had even offered talks when the current opposition was in power. “Democracy progresses through dialogue, not deadlock,” he said, urging the opposition to actively participate in parliamentary committees and uphold the Charter of Democracy.

In the same session, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas had urged the government to improve its engagement with jailed former premier Imran Khan. “I promise that we [opposition] will not let your government fall,” he pledged.

TTAP sources indicated that opposition leaders are expected to establish contact with key government figures during the holy month of Ramadan.

Meanwhile, PTI leader Atif Khan confirmed the development, stating that all opposition parties attended the consultative session and unanimously authorised Achakzai and Abbas to represent the alliance in talks with the government. He added that the opposition would formally respond and clarify its position to the public. “We were told to engage in dialogue for the sake of Pakistan and the Constitution, and we have agreed,” he said.

Speaking on the matter, PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter president Junaid Akbar emphasised that the opposition believes in political engagement and reconciliation. “We are political people and have faith in the negotiation process,” he said, adding that dialogue is essential to resolve issues.

He stressed the need to end confrontation with state institutions but noted that the government must also “correct its attitude” to create an enabling environment. “If political space is not provided, the negotiation process cannot move forward,” Akbar remarked, urging authorities to help create conditions conducive to dialogue. He added that the opposition was ready to move forward if the government demonstrated seriousness by normalising the situation.

This development comes amid growing concerns over jailed PTI founder Imran Khan’s health. Khan, who has been incarcerated since August 2023, has recently been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a serious ocular condition that can impair vision and requires close medical supervision.

A report submitted to the Supreme Court of Pakistan earlier this month stated that he has lost approximately 85 percent of vision in his right eye. On Tuesday, Khan was brought to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for a follow-up treatment, receiving a second dose of anti-VEGF intravitreal injection on February 24.

While PTI has demanded that Khan be treated at Shifa International Hospital under the supervision of his personal physicians, the government has accused the party of politicising the former premier’s health issue.