In a significant political shift, former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has agreed to engage in talks with the government after receiving an invitation from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
According to reliable sources, Khan authorized PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan to move forward with the dialogue during a recent meeting at Adiala Jail. While willing to begin the process, Khan emphasized that the discussions should take place privately, away from media attention, to encourage productive results.
PTI leadership has decided to formally approach the government to initiate the proposed dialogue. Party insiders believe previous negotiations were undermined by intense media scrutiny, and a discreet setting would be more conducive to progress.
Barrister Gohar confirmed that he communicated the prime minister’s proposal to Imran Khan but refrained from sharing details of their conversation, stating, “I cannot disclose what was discussed between us.”
The dialogue initiative stems from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent address in the National Assembly, where he extended an offer for national-level talks. Although PTI initially responded positively, it was made clear that no steps would be taken without Imran Khan’s direct approval.
Party sources also indicated that Khan prefers the dialogue to have the support of the military establishment and is open to engaging with an establishment representative to facilitate the process.
The development follows heightened calls for political unity amid recent tensions with India. Whether these behind-the-scenes discussions yield results remains to be seen.
