ISLAMABAD: A group of former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders has quietly revived a reconciliation initiative aimed at easing political tensions and opening channels of dialogue between the party and the military establishment.
Former information minister Fawad Chaudhry, ex-Sindh governor Imran Ismail and former MNA Mehmood Moulvi are spearheading the effort under the banner of a Committee on National Dialogue. According to sources, the initiative also includes several influential overseas Pakistanis and is focused on creating space for political de-escalation and relief for PTI leaders.
Focus Shifts to Kot Lakhpat Jail
Unlike previous attempts that centred on PTI founder Imran Khan’s incarceration in Adiala Jail, the renewed push is currently focused on Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore. Several senior PTI leaders, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Mian Mahmoodur Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry, Umar Cheema and Dr Yasmin Rashid, remain imprisoned there.
Sources said these leaders have publicly supported dialogue, describing it as the only viable path forward. Their stance, however, previously conflicted with Imran Khan’s position, as he had rejected negotiations and insisted that street agitation remained PTI’s sole strategy.
The trio believes that securing the release of the Kot Lakhpat detainees could allow a more pragmatic PTI leadership to emerge—one they argue is better attuned to political realities and open to compromise.
Contacts with Government and Establishment
According to sources, Chaudhry, Ismail and Moulvi have been in contact with a senior “official” as well as government ministers to test the waters for dialogue and possible relief measures. Their broader objective is to defuse the prolonged confrontation between PTI and the establishment, which they believe has paralysed the political system.
When contacted, Fawad Chaudhry confirmed the formation of the Committee on National Dialogue and said its sole purpose was to help normalise the political environment. He said the initiative began several weeks ago but suffered a setback following a tweet issued from Adiala Jail, widely interpreted as rejecting talks.
Overseas Pakistanis Offer Investment Incentive
Chaudhry disclosed that committee members had already met the Kot Lakhpat inmates and that several overseas Pakistanis had formally joined the effort. According to him, these individuals are willing to invest up to $1 billion in Pakistan if the reconciliation process succeeds. He added that the group has once again begun reaching out to the government to explore the possibility of structured and meaningful dialogue.
Earlier Efforts Failed to Build Consensus
Sources also revealed that a meeting of former PTI leaders was held months ago to discuss political normalisation. Participants included Asad Umar, Shafqat Mahmood and Ghulam Sarwar Khan, alongside the current trio. However, disagreements over strategy prevented consensus, prompting Chaudhry, Ismail and Moulvi to move ahead independently with what they consider a workable plan.
