PTI, opp alliance agree on joint strategy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the broader opposition alliance agreed on Monday to work out a joint strategy on national issues and improve coordination between their sides.

The understanding was reached during a high-level meeting held at the residence of National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai. The gathering was attended by opposition leaders from both the Senate and the National Assembly, along with senior PTI figures, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.

Afridi attended the meeting on the instructions of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan. Other participants included Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, former National Assembly speaker and PTI Secretary General Asad Qaiser, Tehreek Tahafuz-e-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP) Vice Chairman Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, PTI spokesperson Hussain Ahmed Yousafzai, and Imran Khan’s lawyer Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry.

Issues discussed at the meeting

According to TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Ahmed Yousafzai, the participants discussed concerns over Imran Khan’s worsening health and what was described as restricted medical treatment. They also reviewed issues relating to obstacles in signing legal documents, denial of access to justice, the upcoming federal budget, the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, provincial rights, fiscal federalism, the broader political situation, and cases the opposition says are rooted in political vendetta.

The participants agreed to prepare a common strategy on national matters and to further strengthen coordination among opposition parties and alliances.

Concerns over Imran Khan’s health and access

The meeting took place amid repeated concerns voiced by PTI and TTAP leaders regarding Imran Khan’s health. These concerns have included reports of major deterioration in his eyesight due to delayed medical care while he remains in Adiala Jail.

Opposition leaders, including Chief Minister Afridi, have alleged that Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have not been given proper access to family members, doctors and legal facilities despite court orders.

Imran Khan has tasked Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas with guiding major political and parliamentary decisions, while Sohail Afridi has been directed to lead the street agitation campaign.

Street movement and parliamentary coordination

Afridi has been leading PTI’s street movement on Imran Khan’s directions. The campaign recently moved into a new phase with a rally in Muzaffarabad on April 26 held to mark the party’s 30th foundation day.

At that rally, Afridi said large-scale participation from across the country was expected.

Monday’s meeting appeared to be aimed at bringing the party’s intensified street mobilisation into line with its parliamentary approach on issues including Imran Khan’s health, constitutional rights and fiscal federalism.

Political backdrop

In recent months, PTI and the opposition alliance have faced difficulty in building momentum, with internal differences and regional tensions pushing domestic political matters into the background. The opposition bloc now appears to be seeking to build on public discontent following the recent increase in fuel prices.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister is also planning to visit Lahore next month in an effort to revive the party’s position in the country’s most politically significant province.