The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced its intention to organize “Peaceful Protests” nationwide following the dismissal of reports suggesting the formation of alliances with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) at the federal level and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-Parliamentarians (PTI-P) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
This declaration followed sourced reports indicating a potential shift in PTI founder Imran Khan’s approach towards political adversaries, with purported open dialogue with the PPP and the PTI-P faction under Parvez Khattak’s leadership.
According to party sources, while Imran Khan remains detained at Adiala jail, he expressed willingness to engage in discussions with the PPP despite the latter’s endorsement of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s candidate for prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif.
Contrary to these reports, PTI leader Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif refuted claims of communication with the PPP regarding government formation. Saif emphasized that Imran Khan had adamantly advised against engaging in talks with the PPP and PML-N, advocating instead for opposition without forming alliances.
In a subsequent meeting with journalists in Rawalpindi, Barrister Gohar Khan and Sher Afzal Marwat reiterated Khan’s rejection of coalition possibilities with either the PPP or the PML-N, dismissing any proposed alliances.
Moreover, Gohar Khan categorically denied media assertions suggesting a potential alliance between PTI and PTI-P in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, affirming the party’s decision against such collaboration.
The PTI extended invitations to political parties alleging electoral irregularities, including Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), and others, to participate in their scheduled protest on Saturday.
Asserting its parliamentary strength, PTI nominated Omar Ayub as its candidate for the prime ministerial position, alongside Mian Aslam for Punjab chief minister and Salar Khan for Balochistan’s top office.
In light of claims of securing 180 National Assembly seats in the 2024 polls, former PTI chairman Gohar emphasized the party’s insistence on results aligned with Form 45s.
In response to the leader’s directives for political parties to engage in PTI protests, sources indicated Gohar’s intended meeting with JUI-F supremo Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
Notably, PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari expressed readiness to talk with PTI, advocating for inclusivity in the reconciliation process during a joint press conference of the six-party alliance.
Further, PTI’s Asad Qaiser is tasked with leading negotiations with political parties under Khan’s directives, with a view towards government formation and alliances, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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