Imran Khan seeks release on parole to help mend Pakistan-Afghanistan ties

Former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan has offered to be released on parole to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan, saying political dialogue - not force - is the only way to restore stability in the region.

Speaking through his family and lawyers outside Adiala Jail on Wednesday, Khan conveyed his message: “Peace comes through political stability. Peace only comes through dialogue.” He said he was willing to open talks with the Afghan government to help end what he described as “ongoing hostilities”.

“Afghanistan is our neighboring country. Afghan families are being sent back after three generations,” Khan said in his message.

“Dictators never bring peace. If I’m released on parole, I can help resolve the issue through talks with Afghanistan.”

Khan has long advocated negotiations to tackle militancy rather than military operations - a stance that has drawn increasing criticism from the government.

In a recent press conference, military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry indirectly rebuked such calls, urging the public to “see who is calling for talks with militants who are martyring innocent Pakistani civilians and army soldiers.”

The remarks came as tensions rise over cross-border militancy and deteriorating ties with Kabul. Pakistan has accused the Taliban government in Afghanistan of providing shelter to the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) - a charge the Afghan side denies.

Notably, in 2014, the TTP had nominated Khan and former JUI-F lawmaker Mufti Kifayatullah as members of a committee to facilitate peace talks with the Pakistani government during the Nawaz Sharif-led administration. Both later declined to participate.

Criticism of state crackdown

In his message, Khan also condemned recent violence in Lahore and other parts of the country, accusing authorities of excessive force.

“Our own police, Rangers and army are targeting our people,” he said, demanding investigations against Islamabad’s police chief and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

He called for a judicial commission to probe what he termed four major incidents - May 9, 2023; November 26, 2024; Kashmir, and the recent unrest in Lahore and Muridke.

Khan reiterated his call for nationwide protests on Friday in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying, “We are no longer safe in our own country. Everyone must stand up for Pakistan.”

Accompanied by Khan’s sisters Aleema Khan and Gohar Ali Khan, his legal team insisted that both Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi had already been proven innocent in the Toshakhana II case. They claimed the judge may soon announce a verdict in their favor.

Gohar argued that the Toshakhana proceedings amounted to triple jeopardy. “Toshakhana is the third sentence for the same alleged offence,” he said. “Under the law, no one can be tried multiple times for the same charge. This is clearly political victimization.”

Message to KP leadership

Khan also sent a message from jail to newly-elected Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, congratulating him on his recent election and urging him to form his cabinet “independently and without external pressure”.

“Even if I ask you to include someone in the cabinet, you have every right not to accept it,” Khan said. “You have a free hand.”

He reiterated that “Pakistan is ours and the army is also ours,” framing his remarks as a call for unity amid political division.