Marwat claims deal offered to move Imran to Nathiagali

ISLAMABAD: Amid the ongoing talks between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to defuse political tensions, party lawmaker Sher Afzal Marwat has claimed that the former ruling party was offered to move its incarcerated founder Imran Khan to Governor House in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Nathiagali.

“Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and representatives of the government and establishment tabled the offer to move Imran to Nathiagali... but PTI rejected the deal,” the lawmaker said while speaking on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’.

A similar claim was made by PTI founder’s lawyer Faisal Chaudhry, who a day earlier said, Imran was offered a deal under which he would be shifted to Bani Gala, his residence in Islamabad, to serve the remaining jail time.

“[Imran] Khan said he was offered to be moved to Bani Gala. However, he stressed that he would not move anywhere until those detained without trial are released,” Chaudhry told reporters outside the Adiala jail.

Speaking on Friday’s show, Marwat said the former prime minister was “approached directly” on several occasions.

“An assurance was given that Imran would be released by December 20,” he claimed. Responding to a question regarding the negotiations, the lawmaker said the PTI negotiators confirmed that no individual was willing to take responsibility for submitting written demands.

“The team wants to consult the PTI founder before tabling the charter of demands.”