After months of speculation, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has officially announced the designation of a delegation for talks with the military establishment. PTI founding chairman Imran Khan revealed the names of the designated representatives as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and parliamentary opposition leaders Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz.
Khan made this announcement while addressing media representatives inside Adiala Jail following a hearing related to a £190 million corruption case. Responding to queries regarding ongoing discussions with the military establishment, Khan stated, “I have authorised Ali Amin, Omar Ayub, and Shibli Faraz for these dialogues,” firmly establishing their roles in the negotiations.
Emphasising the exclusivity of this authorisation, Khan reiterated that no other individuals within the party are permitted to engage in talks with the military establishment except for the designated trio.
Regarding recent legal constraints on his freedom of speech regarding state institutions, Khan expressed his adherence to constitutional rights while lamenting delays in the hearing of a pending petition on human rights violations before the Supreme Court.
Additionally, Khan addressed internal party matters, noting the controversy surrounding the nomination of the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). He revealed that initially, PTI leader Sher Afzal Khan Marwat was nominated for the position but sought further consultations. Khan criticised the limited time afforded for deliberations by jail authorities, deeming it insufficient for such significant decision-making processes.
Moreover, Khan endorsed the statement made by the KP chief minister regarding potential protests in Islamabad over unmet commitments from the federal government. He echoed the sentiment that the provincial government’s share is not being adequately provided by the centre.
However, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan had previously denied any ongoing backchannel dialogues with the military establishment. He stated that the party had not nominated any leaders for such negotiations but acknowledged the possibility of Khan making an announcement on the matter.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, when questioned about the talks between PTI and the military establishment, stated that he was unaware of any such discussions or a potential deal. Naqvi also refrained from providing clear details regarding the removal of certain PTI leaders’ names from the Exit Control List (ECL), citing standard procedures for ECL removals.