PTI announces ‘National Conference’ as government allies intensify offensive

ISLAMABAD: As lawmakers from the ruling PML-N and its coalition partners intensified their criticism of the PTI on Wednesday, the opposition party announced plans to hold a “national conference” later this month to unveil a “national agenda”.

The announcement was made by PTI leader Asad Qaiser following a meeting of the party’s parliamentary group at Parliament House. Speaking to reporters, he said the event would take place on December 20–21.

The development comes amid escalating political tensions and a sharp exchange of accusations between the government and the PTI. Hostilities surged after the military spokesperson’s strongly worded press conference on December 6 responding to Imran Khan’s recent remarks against the army leadership. Since then, leaders of various parties have rallied behind the military, criticising the PTI, while the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution seeking a ban on Imran Khan and his party, calling them “anti-state”.

‘Point of no return’

Earlier in the day, Ikhtiar Wali Khan, the PM’s coordinator on information for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, declared that “things have reached a point of no return”. At a press conference, he criticised the PTI’s recent actions, saying: “We have shown patience for the sake of democracy, but now there will be no mercy and no tolerance.”

He said “all doors to talks are now closed”, adding that anyone supporting the jailed PTI founder was effectively endorsing “an attack on Pakistan’s sovereignty and honour”.

Wali accused the PTI of achieving “nothing” during its four years in power, challenging the party to name “one university, hospital or dam” it built. He added that the central and provincial governments had been spared from “PTI’s politics” and warned that KP would also be “set free”.

‘Common sense should prevail’

Later, leaders of the Tehreek-i-Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) alliance — which includes the PTI — addressed the media outside Parliament. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan reiterated accusations that the party’s “mandate was stolen” in the last general elections.

He said the PTI chose to stay within Parliament despite alleged injustices, but warned that “common sense should prevail” in the current political standoff. Referring to restrictions on meeting incarcerated party founder Imran Khan, he said: “If parents are kept behind bars, how can the children sit with you?”

He stressed that force would “achieve nothing”, insisting that attempts to separate Imran from the public would fail, and claiming the PTI founder still enjoyed the backing of “at least 70 per cent of the country”.

Gohar urged authorities to allow meetings with Imran in line with court orders, warning that creating obstacles would raise questions about the government’s intentions and risk further destabilising democracy.

He also criticised Tuesday’s Punjab Assembly resolution, accusing the government of trying to “pit federating units against one another” and undermining democratic norms by excluding a major political party.

‘Meeting essential for dialogue’

PkMAP Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai echoed similar concerns, saying that no meaningful dialogue could take place unless permission was granted to meet Imran Khan. Commenting on the PTI’s sit-in outside Adiala jail the previous night, he alleged that PTI parliamentary leader Shahid Khattak’s leg had been fractured during the authorities’ crackdown. He warned that further escalation could ignite widespread unrest, urging both sides to return to dialogue.

National conference on December 20–21

Asad Qaiser said the opposition would convene a “national conference” inviting all political parties and bar associations, where a national agenda would be presented. “We are peaceful people and will proceed strictly within the Constitution and the law,” he said.

Qaiser cautioned against imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or moving Imran Khan from Adiala jail, saying such steps would “push the country towards anarchy”. He also demanded merit-based proceedings in cases involving the former prime minister, asserting: “We are united and unafraid.”