Pakistan govt denies negotiations with opposition party for Khan’s release

The Pakistan government has dismissed reports of negotiations with the largest opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), to secure the release of jailed PTI founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif refuted rumors of negotiations with PTI, accusing the party of seeking a "respectable exit" from its political troubles.

“Khan’s release is not an option as there are many cases pending against him,” Asif told Nukta. He added that PTI, which once criticized ministers, is now seeking their help.

Imran Khan, currently in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, has called for a protest at Islamabad’s D-Chowk on November 24.

The demonstration is aimed at challenging the "stolen mandate" from February's elections, alleged illegal detentions of PTI leaders, and the controversial 26th Amendment.

Asif also alleged that PTI is attempting to involve the establishment to avoid holding the protest.

He claimed Ali Amin Gandapur, a PTI leader and Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has been in contact with the establishment on Khan’s instructions. “Politicians often say one thing in public but do another in private,” he added.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi echoed the denial of any talks between the government and PTI senior leaders, whom the party claims were directed by Khan to negotiate on his behalf.

Naqvi also ruled out allowing protests in Islamabad, citing overlapping major events, including a Belarusian delegation’s visit.

“Protests are a right, but not in Islamabad during such times,” Naqvi said, accusing PTI of using the timing to create instability.

PTI claims 'offer' to postpone rally

Meanwhile, Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, stated that during a recent meeting at Adiala Jail, Khan mentioned receiving an "offer" through senior party leaders to postpone the protest by 10 days.

Earlier this week, Aleema had noted that Khan had authorized PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to hold talks with the establishment.

On the other hand, PTI leader Asad Qaiser claimed that the government had contacted Gandapur to initiate talks.

“PTI will decide how far these talks will go,” he said, describing the November 24 protest as a reflection of public anger.

“We are Pakistan’s largest party. We were given a mandate that was stolen from us,” Qaiser said, urging the government to allow peaceful demonstrations.