A photograph of opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai. SCREEN CAPTURE
LAHORE:
TTAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai has said allowing meetings with PTI founder Imran Khan could help ease political tensions, and stressed that those who control visiting rights are the key to reducing tension.
During a lunch with a handful of senior journalists, Achakzai stressed that an opportunity must be provided to dialogue with the jailed former prime minister and explore a way out of the current political deadlock.
He regretted that the ban on gatherings had only aggravated tensions.
In a veiled message to the powers that be, Achakzai, who also heads the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, said that if the restriction on meetings with Imran Khan is lifted, it could convince him to engage in positive dialogue with the other side and tone down his sharp rhetoric, which he said had so far hampered efforts to find a way out.
Despite the informal atmosphere, Achakzai remained evasive when asked how he planned to create political space for the PTI or generate influence that could secure it a seat at the negotiating table.
However, Achakzai did not seem very interested in the idea of negotiating directly with the establishment to obtain concessions. Instead, he leaned toward a broader political commitment, advocating a national government aimed at guaranteeing the supremacy of the Constitution, respect for the rule of law and the judiciary, parliamentary supremacy, and freedom of the press.
He acknowledged that some might disagree, but argued that an 18-month national government, involving the PTI, PML-N and PPP, could help lay the foundation for the future of democracy in Pakistan.
Responding to a question whether he had discussed this proposal with Nawaz Sharif, whom he described as a friend, Achakzai said their last interaction was during a parliamentary session, where she congratulated him on the appointment of Maryam Nawaz as Punjab Chief Minister.
He regretted that there had been no contact since then, adding that Nawaz Sharif, like others, was also constrained by the current setup.
Political journalist Mujeeb Ur Rehman Shami, who attended the brunch, commented that Nawaz Sharif should have had the courtesy of inviting Achakzai to his residence, given his stature and presence in Lahore.
Asked if he could guarantee that the PTI leadership and Imran Khan’s sisters would support his efforts if he was allowed to meet the former prime minister, Achakzai said the resumption of meetings would help address any internal misgivings within the party.
Responding to a question that draws parallels with the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s past strategy of combining public pressure with backchannel engagement, Achakzai rejected any such suggestion.
He said it would be wrong to assume he was in contact with powerful sectors simply because others had done so in the past, and warned that short-term solutions could lead to long-term disasters.
He warned that sidelining the country’s most popular leader was detrimental to national unity.
