ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan has given the green signal for a dialogue with Pakistan’s political parties, his aide Gohar Ali Khan confirmed on Tuesday, saying that the ex-cricketer wanted Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai to lead the talks.
According to media reports, a senior judge of the top court last Thursday urged Khan to initiate dialogue with politicians in the country to address Pakistan’s pressing issues. The former premier had joined a Supreme Court hearing via video link in a case relating to amendments made to the country’s anti-graft laws.
Khan, who remains incarcerated in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail since August after being convicted on corruption charges, has vowed not to hold talks with his political rivals and rejected the possibility of any “deal” with the government, which he accuses of coming to power after heavily rigging Pakistan’s national election held in February.
Local media reported on Monday that Khan had accepted the Supreme Court judge’s advice to engage political parties, including the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), in a dialogue. The two parties are chief rivals of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
“Today, Khan gave permission for it [dialogue with political parties],” Gohar told reporters in Rawalpindi after holding a meeting with the former prime minister in Adiala prison. “He has allowed Mahmood Khan Achakzai to take the dialogue forward.”
Gohar shared that the former premier was ready to forgive “atrocities” committed against him by the government.
“There is no offer of a deal neither are we going for one,” he said. “Dialogue is a separate thing and that should take place.”
In an indirect reference to Pakistan’s powerful military, he said the “power brokers and other powers” should be serious in taking the political process forward.
Khan was ousted as Pakistan’s prime minister in April 2022 via a parliamentary vote. The former premier alleges the vote was orchestrated by Washington, whom he accused of colluding with Pakistan’s former army chief General (retired) Bajwa and the PPP and PML-N to remove him from power. All three have denied Khan’s accusations.
Political tensions in Pakistan came to a head last year on May 9 when angry Khan supporters attacked military and government installations in many parts of the country. The attacks were in response to Khan’s brief arrest on May 9.
Pakistan’s government and military launched a crackdown on Khan’s PTI party after the riots, rounding up hundreds of its leaders and supporters across the country. The party has distanced itself from the attacks, rejecting the government’s allegations that it instigated them.
