Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan has described Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent offer for dialogue as largely symbolic, emphasizing that no meaningful progress has been made beyond the initial invitation. Speaking to journalists in Rawalpindi, Barrister Gohar highlighted that PTI has been denied access to its imprisoned founder, Imran Khan, for over a year, with the last meeting occurring in October of the previous year.
He reiterated the party’s commitment to the state of Pakistan but expressed frustration that despite PTI’s goodwill, it remains barred from meeting its leader. These comments came shortly after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended a conditional invitation for talks, contingent on PTI ending its ongoing long march towards Islamabad.
Addressing an event in Islamabad, the prime minister warned that continued sit-ins and marches would primarily harm the country’s economy. He urged the opposition to reconsider their approach, stating, “I urge you to come to your senses, end the long march and sit-in, and then we will sit with you.”
Meanwhile, Barrister Gohar revealed that Imran Khan’s sisters, who are not politically active, have been taken into custody. He also noted that upon visiting Adiala jail on Tuesday, he was informed that Khan’s cousin, Qasim Zaman—also non-political and without any history of political statements—had been detained.
The PTI chairman stressed that the party entered negotiations with the government in good faith and sincerity, but accused the government of lacking generosity and seriousness. He maintained that none of PTI’s demands were unlawful. On the issue of terrorism, Barrister Gohar stated the party’s stance was clear, calling for the full implementation of the National Action Plan. He pointed out that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the province most affected by terrorism and noted that its provincial assembly had unanimously passed a resolution addressing the issue.
He suggested that one or two additional rounds of talks might have led to a resolution, and cautioned against blaming each other following the breakdown of negotiations.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja added that if the government genuinely wishes to engage in dialogue, it should reach out to the opposition leadership, specifically the leaders of opposition in the National Assembly and Senate, Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, respectively. Speaking outside the Islamabad High Court, Raja confirmed that the long march would continue until a concrete agreement is reached.
He dismissed claims that the talks had resolved issues, stating that the opposition’s negotiating team had full authority to make decisions. Raja attributed the breakdown in talks to the government’s unilateral decision to plan operations in five districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa without prior consultation. He reiterated that Imran Khan had authorized Achakzai and Abbas to negotiate on behalf of the party, and invited the government to contact Allama Nasir Abbas to determine whether negotiations should proceed.
Separately, PTI leader Asad Qaiser called on the government to engage with the party over its legitimate constitutional and legal demands. In a video statement, Qaiser assured that PTI’s protests remain peaceful and will continue to be so, emphasizing that the law would not be taken into anyone’s hands.
He warned that threats of imposing governor’s rule would not solve the underlying issues and cautioned that curtailing the constitutional powers of the provincial government could undermine the parliamentary system. “Pakistan comes first,” he said, urging all political forces to come together at the negotiating table in the national interest. He underscored that peace and the supremacy of the Constitution remain central to PTI’s demands.
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