Islamabad: Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, currently incarcerated, expressed his readiness for negotiations with the ruling regime, a stance he claims to have held for the past 18 months. However, the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) founder maintained his reluctance to strike a deal at present.
Khan’s declaration, made during discussions with journalists at Adiala jail, underscored his openness to dialogue, a fundamental aspect of politics. Yet, he categorically stated his unwillingness to engage in negotiations with the PML-N, PPP, and MQM-P.
“Someone who wants to leave the country or avoid imprisonment makes a deal,” Khan remarked, as reported by Geo News.
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Who Does Khan Propose for Negotiations?
While advocating for talks, Khan nominated Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Shibli Faraz as potential negotiators.
“I have proposed these three names for talks and not a deal,” reiterated the imprisoned leader. Khan also disclosed that his opponents are contemplating a fourth case against him regarding the Toshakhana incident. He asserted that regardless of the number of cases, his adversaries bring against him, he remains unfazed.
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Khan’s pronouncement followed PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan’s assertion that the party neither engages in dialogues nor harbors any specific messages for negotiations.
Outside Rawalpindi jail, Gohar urged the judiciary to expedite verdicts on Khan’s cases, stressing that many are politically motivated.
However, in response to Khan’s statement, Gohar reiterated PTI’s willingness to engage in talks. “Ali Amin Gandapur, Omar Ayub Khan, and Shibli Faraz have been authorized to initiate talks, albeit without striking a deal,” clarified Gohar, adding that discussions are open to all except the aforementioned three political parties.
