Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was briefed on the recent unscheduled meeting between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, according to a well-placed government source.
The source clarified that there had been no prior schedule for this exclusive interaction. After attending a law and order meeting with various political leaders, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur requested a private meeting with the army chief, which was granted. PTI leaders, including Gandapur and Chairman Gohar Ali Khan, used the opportunity to discuss party matters but were advised by General Munir to address political issues with the government instead. The army chief reportedly refrained from engaging in such discussions.
Earlier, Barrister Gohar had denied the meeting but later confirmed it after Imran Khan mentioned it to the media. Khan had stated that Gohar and Gandapur presented PTI’s concerns to General Munir directly. However, Gohar explained that the meeting mainly focused on security matters, though the specifics of his involvement remained unclear.
Imran Khan termed the meeting a positive step, viewing direct talks with the establishment as crucial to resolving ongoing issues. However, some members of the PML-N negotiating committee, including Rana Sanaullah and Irfan Siddiqui, denied that the PTI leaders were encouraged to discuss political matters during the meeting.
Before the meeting’s confirmation, it was reported that an exclusive gathering involving three key individuals had taken place. The source hinted that backchannel discussions would continue, with future meetings involving a federal minister and two influential figures. The outcome of these talks would depend on PTI’s political approach and policies.
