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ISLAMABAD: As the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) gears up for a “do-or-die protest” in Islamabad on November 24, incarcerated founder Imran Khan has given the go-ahead to top party leaders to hold talks with “powerful quarters”, his lawyer Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry said.
Speaking to Geo News on Tuesday, the lawyer said the former premier allowed PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to hold negotiations with “powerful quarters” after the two leaders met the party chief at Adiala Jail.
Giving details of the meeting, Chaudhry said, Gandapur and Barrister Gohar visited Adiala Jail to seek permission to hold talks “if contact is made”.
“Imran gave the go-ahead to hold talks with powerful quarters only and on PTI demands,” he added.
In response to a question, the lawyer said the November 24 protest would end only when “demands will be met”. Meanwhile, he said, Gandapur apprised the former premier of preparations related to the upcoming demonstration.
Speaking to journalists outside Adiala Jail, Aleema Khan — Imran’s sister — has confirmed the development, saying that the incarcerated founder gave the go-ahead only to seek the return of the “stolen mandate”.
“He [Imran] allowed to hold talks for the release of jailed workers and leaders and restoration of democracy in the country,” she said, adding that the former premier has set a deadline till Thursday for the party leaders to hold talks with the “powerful quarters”.
“The November 24 would turn into a celebration, had the stolen mandate returned,” she added.
Responding to a question, Aleema said Imran has asked for holding talks with the establishment as the incumbent rulers themselves claimed that they did not have real power.
In response to a question about whether a political party should negotiate with political parties or the establishment, she said that when parties have “given themselves up” then the negotiations will be held with those who “wield real power”.
The statements contradict PTI’s official stance as party spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram earlier today ruled out the possibility of holding talks with the stakeholders prior to their planned countrywide demonstration.
Speaking to Geo News‘ programme ‘Naya Pakistan’ on Sunday, Akram said: “There is no possibility of negotiations with the government or the establishment before the protest.”
However, a report by The News stated that a high-level contact was established between the Imran Khan-founded party and an important member of the government to work on a “possible breakthrough”.
A source claimed that the initial contact was positive. The News has the names of contact persons from both sides but the information was shared on the condition that their names will not be disclosed.
According to the source, the government’s contact person will take the powers that be into confidence and if things proceed positively, the PTI may call off its November 24 protest march in return for some assurances for meeting their demands.
KP CM Gandapur had already told The News that he would raise in the Apex Committee the issue of Imran Khan, the PTI and the ongoing tension between his party and the military establishment.