Incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said he has not authorized anyone to negotiate with the military establishment on his behalf, according to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Gohar Ali Khan.
Last week, PTI leader Azam Swati had claimed that Khan had authorized him to initiate contacts with the establishment to work toward achieving political stability in the country. He had said that he and former president Arif Alvi agreed on talks being the best path forward and would meet someone “soon” in this regard. Khan’s latest remarks, however, appear to negate this.
Speaking with media after meeting with Khan at Adiala Jail, Gohar said the party founder had issued six statements for the public and his party. “Imran Khan said that he has not pressured anyone to strike a deal,” he said, while maintaining that the former premier believed in dialogue but was not seeking any deal.
Additionally, Gohar said Khan had directed the party to pause the passage of a minerals bill in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa until he had discussed the matter with Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. The controversial bill aims to regulate the mining of minerals in the province. However, critics—primarily from within the PTI itself—have alleged it grants control of the province’s resources to the federation. The KP government insists the bill would curb illegal mining and attract investment.
According to Gohar, Khan also directed the PTI leadership to refrain from making statements against each other. In recent weeks, the party has been rife with infighting, with multiple camps accusing each other of betraying the party’s principles.
The PTI chairman said the party founder had also “expressed concerns” over the ongoing repatriation of Afghan refugees and directed the KP Assembly to pass a resolution on the matter.
The incarcerated former prime minister also weighed in on a long-pending opposition alliance, reiterating a desire to see the PTI allied with other parties.
Earlier, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja was denied permission to meet Khan. His sisters were likewise denied permission but were told they could meet him on Thursday.