PTI signals readiness for dialogue with government, links talks to Imran Khan's release

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday indicated a significant softening of its political stance, expressing willingness to engage in dialogue with the government provided party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan is released from jail.

The development marks a notable shift in PTI’s position, as the party and its jailed founder had previously rejected negotiations with the ruling coalition, repeatedly describing the government as “thieves and dacoits” in public statements.

Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, PTI leader and MNA Ali Muhammad Khan said the opposition was prepared to sit with the government to resolve national issues if an atmosphere conducive to dialogue was created.

“Let us sit together to jointly resolve our problems in an atmosphere in which Imran Khan is released from jail and Mian Sahib (Nawaz Sharif) also comes forward for dialogue,” he said.

Ali Muhammad Khan revealed that Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai had informed PTI leaders about receiving an invitation from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for talks.

“I asked Achakzai to go for dialogue. The entire PTI will support him so that the process of talks can pave the way for political stability and the resolution of our issues,” he added.

The PTI lawmaker expressed hope that negotiations could eventually lead to the release of Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, both currently incarcerated in the Al-Qadir Trust case.

Ali Muhammad Khan also highlighted instances where the opposition had extended support to the government on matters of national importance, particularly during last year’s military confrontation with India.

“We stood with the government during the conflict with India, and today we also stand united in welcoming the Chinese delegation visiting Parliament to mark 75 years of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations,” he said.

The remarks came during a special National Assembly session attended by a high-level Chinese delegation led by Cai Dafeng, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress, along with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong.

The treasury and opposition benches jointly welcomed the delegation, reflecting rare political unity in the House despite heightened tensions between the government and PTI.

Interestingly, PTI lawmakers had earlier announced a boycott of National Assembly proceedings to protest Imran Khan’s continued imprisonment. However, opposition members led by Mehmood Achakzai participated in Wednesday’s session during the Chinese delegation’s visit before later walking out.

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq termed the occasion historic, noting that Pakistan and China were celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Achakzai also addressed the house and welcomed the visiting Chinese delegation before opposition members exited the chamber after the delegation’s departure.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had repeatedly offered dialogue to the opposition in recent months, most notably in December last year, when he stressed that talks could proceed only on “legitimate issues”.

At the time, PTI had rejected the proposal, insisting that any negotiations would only be possible after the party secured what it called a “level-playing field” through its protest movement and political agitation campaign.

Wednesday’s statement from PTI, however, suggested the first visible opening for possible negotiations between the government and the opposition amid a prolonged political deadlock in the country.