The Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the country’s main opposition party, has signaled its willingness to hold talks with the government it has fiercely opposed, but clarified that this should not be mistaken for entering into any kind of 'deal'.
The party’s willingness was conveyed by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, who is currently overseeing party affairs alongside senior leaders in the absence of founder Imran Khan, who has been incarcerated since August 2023.
The development comes days after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a recent speech on the floor of the National Assembly, extended an olive branch to PTI, inviting it to join a broader national dialogue.
'Not a deal'
Speaking to reporters at Parliament House today, Barrister Gohar said, “We were not eyeing any deal with the government before, and we are not in favor now. However, we are open to dialogue.”
He confirmed that the prime minister had formally invited PTI for talks, a gesture the party welcomed. Gohar added that Imran Khan had previously directed party leaders to engage in talks and remains supportive of the idea.
“We will consult Imran Khan and senior leadership on the mechanism for further talks and proceed accordingly,” he said.
Gohar clarified that he has never shared internal party matters — either on or off the record — as these remain confidential.
Gohar refutes rumors on Imran’s sons’ interview
Responding to a question, he defended recent remarks made by Imran Khan’s sons in media interviews, describing them as “politically aware.” He noted that their statements aligned with their father’s stance, and they clearly said there would be no deal with the government.
He also dismissed speculation that Khan’s sons had stepped into the spotlight due to their father’s alleged frustration with party leaders over the lack of progress in securing his release. “There is no truth to such claims,” Gohar told reporters.
Despite the party’s public denials of any deal, sources claimed that some level of understanding has begun to take shape between the PTI, the government, and the establishment. Further talks could potentially lead to a negotiated way forward, the sources added.
PTI has been a staunch critic of the ruling coalition, accusing it of coming to power through rigged elections held on February 8, 2024. The party has also maintained a long-standing opposition to the PML-N and PPP — the dominant parties in the coalition.
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