PTI says talks with government possible if Imran Khan is released

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said on Wednesday it was prepared to engage in dialogue with the government to address political differences, but linked the process to the release of jailed party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan.

The position was stated on the floor of the National Assembly by PTI MNA Ali Muhammad Khan, marking a shift from the party’s earlier public stance in which both PTI and Imran Khan had repeatedly rejected talks with the present government.

Speaking in the house, Ali Muhammad Khan said the opposition should move forward with dialogue if an environment was created in which Imran Khan was freed and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif also participated in the process.

“Let us sit together to jointly resolve our problems in an atmosphere in which Imran Khan is released from jail and Mian Sahib (PML-N President Nawaz Sharif) also comes forward for dialogue,” PTI MNA Ali Muhammad Khan said on the floor of the National Assembly on Wednesday.

Invitation for talks

Ali Muhammad Khan said National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Achakzai had confirmed receiving an invitation from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He added that he had advised Achakzai to accept the offer and said the entire PTI would back him in that effort so that the talks could contribute to political stability and help resolve outstanding issues.

According to Ali Muhammad Khan, such a process could also open the way for the release of Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, from jail.

Chinese delegation visit

During Wednesday’s sitting, both treasury and opposition members welcomed a high-level Chinese delegation that visited the National Assembly in connection with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China.

The opposition had earlier announced it would not take part in the National Assembly proceedings in protest over Imran Khan’s continued imprisonment. However, opposition lawmakers, led by Mehmood Achakzai, attended the proceedings until the Chinese delegation remained present in the house. After the delegation left, opposition members also walked out.

The visiting delegation was headed by Cai Dafeng, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China, and included China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong.

On the occasion, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq highlighted the significance of the event and the milestone in bilateral relations.

“Today is a special occasion as we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.”

Mehmood Achakzai also welcomed the Chinese delegation during the proceedings.

Reference to past positions

Ali Muhammad Khan said the opposition had previously stood with the government on matters concerning international issues. In this connection, he referred to the May 2025 conflict with India and also mentioned the Chinese delegation’s visit to the National Assembly.

He said the opposition had expressed solidarity with the government during last year’s conflict with India and was doing so again during the Chinese delegation’s visit marking 75 years of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations.

The development comes after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in December 2025, renewed his offer to hold talks with the opposition while stressing that any dialogue should be limited to what he described as legitimate matters. At that time, PTI had rejected talks with the government until what it called a level-playing field was ensured through its street movement against the government.