Talks within constitutional limits: Imran

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has said that he is open to talks but only within the ambit provisioned by the Constitution.

“I will hold talks while staying within the Constitution, “ the PTI founder said while speaking to reporters in the Adia jail.

The former prime minister’s remarks come against the backdrop of his willingness to hold negotiations with the military where he has even called on the latter to nominate a representative to hold parleys.

Continuing on the prospects of negotiations, Khan reiterated the party’s longtime demand for their allegedly stolen mandate to be returned. He also said that how can he talk with the incumbent government which will collapse if even the electoral results of four constituencies are opened and looked into?

To a question that Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman and Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai has allegedly refused to talk with the army, the PTI founder clarified that he has, in fact, asked the veteran politician to negotiate with political parties. “Achakzai will only hold] talk with political parties,” he said.

When asked if he was taking a U-turn on his earlier statement where he took Achakzai’s name for talks with the military, the PTI founder took a jibe at the PMLN for going back on its “vote ko izzat do” narrative for restoring the sanctity of the people’s vote.

The biggest U-turn taken by a person is the one who demanded respect for the vote but instead, himself gave respect to the “boot”. To a question regarding the reason behind the termination of Sher Afzal Marwat’s party membership, the former prime minister initially gave no response. However, when pressed on the matter, he said that he would discuss the issue at some other time.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said the PTI was not responsible for the May 9 tragedy, terming it a conspiracy.

“It was a conspiracy hatched against us. If proven wrong, we are willing to apologize. But the error must first be demonstrated. If it’s your mistake, don’t expect us to apologise,” he said while talking to reports after meeting with Imran at the Adiala Jail.

He said the government invited them for negotiations, but their stance was that it lacked legitimacy.

“When we negotiate, we won’t forget our martyrs,” he added.

He said the PTI founder chairman and former premier Imran Khan was stuck to his ideology, which could not be confined.

He urged the nation to wholeheartedly attend the 5th August rally and demonstrate their support to their leader’s ideology.

“I hold an official position; I have contacts and discussions with the establishment, but nothing concrete has emerged so far,” he said.

Gandapur aired Imran Khan’s concerns about the country’s economy and said their leader was willing to talk for the nation’s benefit.

A committee has also been formed, and they are committed to the decisions of their leader, he added.

The KP chief minister expressed his resentment over the unfair treatment they received, noting that Andleeb Abbas had left the party without spending a day in jail, while Murad Raas made 1,800 calls and was now appearing in the TV programs.

“We are bound by the decisions of our leader,” he said, adding that those disregarding the court orders should be left to their own devices.

Gandapur declared that he would announce a rally in Islamabad, and if unable he could not do so, he would quit politics.

He recalled telling Rana Sanaullah about his plans previously, causing him to hide upon his arrival.

The KP chief minister emphasized the need for terms of reference (ToRs) for talks, stating that expressing mutual concerns was essential for resolving issues.

He accused the opposition of stealing their mandate and mentioned that the founding chairman had always advocated for dialogue, forming a committee for negotiations.

In Punjab, he noted, there was fascism, and cases were being filed.

“They don’t give Form-45, yet those with Form-47 are sitting in the assembly,” he said.

He expressed optimism about breakthroughs from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, referencing a ceasefire in Parachinar, where a land dispute between two groups was being falsely portrayed as terrorism and given a religious color.

Regarding Sher Afzal Marwat, the chief minister affirmed his relationship and contact with him, noting that notices were issued to him on the party chairman’s instructions.

“I told Sher Afzal Marwat to tolerate criticism, and we will resolve the party’s internal matters internally. I believe we should not close the doors to reconciliation,” he said, adding that he was unaware of Marwat’s notification.