PTI dissidents question push for opposition alliance

PESHAWAR: A group of disgruntled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmakers in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has raised concerns over the provincial government and party leadership’s ongoing contacts with opposition parties, asking whether those meetings are being held on the instructions of former prime minister Imran Khan and whether his release is the central objective.

The questions were made public after a meeting of dissenting lawmakers in Peshawar, following which a statement was issued on behalf of the consultative committee linked to what it described as the Imran Khan Release Movement. The statement said some elements were deliberately trying to associate the movement with a particular person or faction, while insisting that its only purpose was to secure Imran Khan’s release and uphold his vision.

According to the declaration issued after what it described as detailed consultations, the group said that despite earlier demands for a comprehensive and unambiguous strategy to obtain Imran Khan’s release, no meaningful progress had been made. It said the consultative committee had expressed deep concern over the lack of movement and again called for a clear plan and urgent practical measures.

Questions over opposition outreach

The dissident lawmakers also voiced reservations about what they described as continuous meetings between the provincial leadership, the government and opposition leaders. In the statement, they asked whether these interactions were being carried out on Imran Khan’s instructions and whether the purpose of the engagements was tied to efforts for his release.

The committee further questioned why party workers and the parliamentary committee were not being taken into confidence about the nature and aims of those meetings. It said it had repeatedly been observed that various individuals continued to meet opposition figures, but neither workers nor the parliamentary committee were informed about the purpose of those contacts.

Response to Barrister Gohar’s offer

The statement said PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar had formally approached the consultative committee of the Imran Khan Release Movement and conveyed his desire to meet. The dissident group said it welcomed the initiative and had accepted the invitation for dialogue.

It added that all members of the committee had unanimously proposed the names of a few representatives who would hold a formal meeting with Barrister Gohar as soon as possible in order to move forward efforts linked to Imran Khan’s release.

The consultative committee also said it had unanimously decided that it would soon contact all PTI parliamentarians.