Pakistan opposition PTI to hold national conference on Dec 20-21 amid political tensions

Pakistan’s main opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), announced on Wednesday that it will hold a two-day “national conference” later this month, aiming to present a “national agenda” and revive political dialogue in the country.

The conference, scheduled for December 20–21, will include invitations to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), though the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will not be invited, PTI leaders said at a press briefing outside Parliament House in Islamabad.

The announcement comes amid heightened political tensions following an early morning incident outside Adiala Jail. Police launched an operation in the wee hours of Wednesday to disperse PTI supporters staging a sit-in after Imran Khan’s family was reportedly denied a meeting with him.

Water cannons were used to clear the road in near-freezing temperatures, and multiple party workers were detained.

Khan’s sisters - Aleema, Uzma, and Noreen - participated in the demonstration and reportedly took shelter in a nearby residential area to avoid arrest after the police action.

PTI described the operation as “a shameless violation of Imran Khan’s prisoner rights” and “an assault on constitutional rights,” urging international human rights organizations to take notice.

Qaiser warns of political instability

Former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, speaking at the briefing, said the conference would bring together political parties and bar associations to draft a national agenda at a time when, he claimed, citizens’ political rights were being curtailed.

Qaiser condemned the Adiala incident, describing the current administration as authoritarian and accusing it of flouting the constitution.

He called for a judicial inquiry and action against those responsible for the operation, warning that moves to appoint a new governor in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or relocate PTI leader Imran Khan could destabilize the country. He stressed that PTI will continue peaceful political efforts and insisted that all cases against Khan be adjudicated on merit.

Pashtun nationalist leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai also criticized authorities over the jail incident, saying it highlighted erosion of constitutional norms on the eve of Human Rights Day.

Achakzai argued that officials within state institutions were engaging in politically charged discussions, which would be unacceptable in other democratic systems. He added that meaningful national dialogue would be impossible unless political actors were allowed to meet Imran Khan, warning that negotiations cannot progress if such meetings are blocked.

Conference seeks political dialogue and reconciliation

PTI officials said outreach to the PPP would occur through the Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Aain-e-Pakistan platform. The conference is intended to explore options for political reconciliation, contingent on government approval for senior mediators, including Achakzai, to meet Khan.

Separately, PTI lawmakers submitted a privilege motion in the National Assembly over the Adiala Jail incident, alleging that the station house officer of Adiala Police Station acted in a derogatory manner toward members of parliament and damaged vehicles belonging to PTI lawmakers under his instructions.

The motion, signed by four PTI members, claims a breach of parliamentary privilege and calls for the officer to be held accountable before a parliamentary committee.