The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday decided against attending an in-camera briefing on the regional security situation, demanding a meeting between incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his personal physician as a prerequisite.
Earlier in the day, Special Assistant to the P.M. on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah had met Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mehmood Achakzai and Senate opposition leader Raja Nasir Abbas, inviting them both—as well as the PTI’s Ali Zafar and Gohar Ali Khan—to attend the meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office.
“Prime Minister has invited all heads of parliamentary parties for a meeting to be held at 11:30 [a.m.] tomorrow (Wednesday) to discuss Afghan regime-backed terrorism against Pakistan and happenings in Iran these days,” Sanaullah told media, adding the two opposition leaders had said they would convey their decision after consulting other opposition leaders.
He also made clear the government was not imposing any conditions for participation in the meeting, nor was it accepting any prerequisites. “We are inviting the parties for a specific cause that they have to give importance keeping aside their political objectives,” he said, adding there would be no benefit if the PTI completely ignored the dialogue process.
The PTI’s political committee subsequently deliberated on the matter and decided against participating unless the government first arranged a meeting between the incarcerated party founder and his personal physician.
This is not the first time the PTI has shunned the political process on issues of national importance. The party has repeatedly refused to engage with authorities on security and law and order, linking any involvement to relief for Khan.
According to government ministers, the in-camera briefing is necessary in light of sensitive information regarding Pakistan’s ties with the Muslim states involved in the current crisis, as Islamabad has positive ties with most of them, including Iran and Saudi Arabia.