After much dithering, PTI links attending huddle to Imran’s parole

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had initially indicated it would attend the National Security Committee meeting but later linked its participation to a meeting with its founding chairman Imran Khan and ultimately demanded his release on parole.

Speaking at a joint press conference alongside other opposition leaders, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja on Tuesday announced that the party had decided not to attend the meeting on security and terrorism. He emphasized the need for a grand national dialogue to resolve Pakistan’s pressing issues, urging the government to demonstrate a “big heart” in addressing these challenges.

“We took this decision in the political committee meeting yesterday. No PTI representative will attend the meeting; however, Ali Amin Gandapur will attend as the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” Raja explained.

He clarified that the PTI is not in favour of any military operation at this time. “We have been suffering from these conditions for 77 years and are not in favour of such measures. We demand that PTI founder Imran Khan be released on parole. We have to fix this country and end fascism,” he asserted.

Mahmood Khan Achakzai, chief of the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan, questioned the legitimacy of attending a national security meeting called by an “unconstitutional” prime minister. He warned that Pakistan was going through a perilous period and criticised the alleged manipulation of the February 8 elections, claiming that parties that won after 9 pm were forcibly defeated.

Achakzai accused institutions of undermining democracy and tarnishing parliament’s reputation. He called for a two-day joint session of parliament where every member of the National Assembly (MNA) could voice their concerns. “We are not children who will leak details of an in-camera meeting. We have decided to boycott because if we attend, they will later claim that so-and-so disagreed,” he argued.

He stressed that representatives of all political parties, including PTI founder Imran Khan and Jamaat-e-Islami, should be invited to national security meetings. “Without Imran Khan, no meeting will have any importance,” he added.

Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Syed Shibli Faraz echoed similar sentiments, stating that no initiative would succeed if the largest political party is excluded and denied the opportunity to consult its leader. He emphasized that public support is crucial for any operation’s success, noting that the majority of the population stands with the PTI and Imran Khan. Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas of the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) expressed distrust in the current government, stating that the judiciary has also been weakened by reforms. He argued that any decision made without involving Imran Khan would lack public legitimacy and acceptance.

Sahibzada Hamid Raza, head of the Sunni Ittehad Council, reiterated that the PTI Political Committee and allied parties had unanimously decided not to attend the meeting unless true representatives, including Imran Khan, were allowed to participate. “At present, the issue is Pakistan’s sovereignty. We demand that a joint session of parliament be called. Imran Khan is currently the most popular leader and the main stakeholder, as his party governs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the operation is to be launched,” Raza said. He called for a grand dialogue involving all stakeholders, urging the rulers to demonstrate magnanimity for the sake of Pakistan’s survival and security.