Those in power should show flexibility as political system has ‘stagnated’ for party, says president
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf president Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has said the political system has become “stalled” for his party and warned that 2026 could also become a “year of punishment” unless those in power show flexibility and initiate dialogue.
Speaking to reporters at Dahgal checkpoint near Adiala jail on Tuesday, Gohar said PTI leaders visit the place every Tuesday but return after waiting for hours without being allowed to meet party leaders. “We come here every Tuesday and leave after waiting for hours even though we have been allotted time,” he said.
Gohar said the party was being forced to “beg for meetings”, adding that the responsibility did not lie solely with political opponents. “By asking for meetings, not only others but also our own people are involved,” he said. “No matter how intense the movement is, negotiations have no alternative.”
He said the talks were not progressing in accordance with the demands of the situation. “I ask those in power to show some compassion for this country,” he said, adding: “Find a way that the situation can improve.”
Gohar said PTI founder Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi and 16 party MPs had already been sentenced. “Despite the ceasefire with the enemy, our internal tensions do not end,” he said. He wondered why meetings that had previously been allowed were suddenly being blocked. “At a minimum, Bushra Bibi should be granted permission to meet,” he said.
He added that the PTI had never called off the negotiations and had not received instructions from the party founder to stop them completely. “I have not received any indication that there will be no talks from now on,” he said. “However, the founder has given instructions about a street movement. Protest is our constitutional right.”
Commenting on internal party matters, Gohar said Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s visit to Lahore was carried out on the instructions of the PTI founder and not through party consultations. He said the authority to negotiate on behalf of the PTI lay with Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Nasir Abbas.
PTI general secretary Salman Akram Raja said there was no environment for negotiations in Pakistan, accusing authorities of violating basic human rights by denying meetings between the jailed PTI founder and his family. “The PTI founder and his sisters have the right to meet. No one can decide to keep him in solitary confinement,” Raja said. “This behavior goes against fundamental human rights.”
He said party leaders would continue to come to the venue despite knowing that permission to hold meetings would not be granted. “We know that we will not be allowed to gather, but we will continue to come here and we will continue to shake the conscience of the State,” he said.
Referring to the negotiations, Raja said he does not see any conducive atmosphere for talks at the moment. “I don’t see an environment for negotiations,” he said. “Negotiations only take place when the basic principles are accepted.”
He criticized what he described as superficial engagement. “What kind of negotiations are these: come, go, eat cookies and something will come of them?” said. Raja said the PTI and its leaders wanted meaningful dialogue, not “in-the-air” talks. “The people of Pakistan and the founder of the PTI deserve a sincere and substantive debate,” he said. “Talking about negotiations without substance is meaningless.”
He alleged that the Constitution had been undermined and stressed that democracy was the only way forward. “Accept that the constitution of this country has been attacked,” he said. “Democracy is the only way forward.”
Referring to the political system established after the February 8, 2024 elections, Raja said it would not last long, adding: “We must move forward.” He further said that the PTI was not setting harsh conditions for the talks but insisted on adherence to basic principles. “We are not here to sit and drink tea or eat cookies,” he reiterated.
Noreen, sister of the PTI founder, launched a harsh criticism of the Punjab government, accusing it of trying to suppress public mobilization by blocking roads and attacking party workers.
Speaking to reporters in Rawalpindi, he said the Punjab administration feared people would take to the streets, prompting Lahore authorities to close roads and markets. “The Punjab government was afraid of people coming out,” he said. “Routes were blocked in Lahore and workers, AMPs and MNAs were beaten.”
Noreen also addressed the security situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, alleging that the violence in the province was part of an effort to weaken the PTI-led provincial government. “Everyone knows who is behind the murders taking place in KP,” he said. “This is done to weaken the KP government.”
He said the PTI protest movement was ongoing and would continue to grow. “Our movement has already started and you will see it expand,” he said. Referring to party leader Sohail Afridi, he said the entire party leadership supported him and praised his handling of the situation during the protests.
Police disperse PTI sit-in near Adiala jail
Rawalpindi police dispersed a sit-in organized near Adiala Jail by Imran Khan’s sisters and party workers. The protest was organized after PTI founder Aleema Khan’s sisters Uzma Khan and Noreen Khan were once again denied permission to meet him.
The police did not allow the three sisters, the PTI leaders and the workers to advance beyond the factory checkpoint near the jail. Following the restriction, the sisters, led by Aleema Khan, staged a sit-in at the checkpoint.
A large number of PTI leaders and supporters later reached the spot to express their solidarity with the sisters. Lawyer Gohar Ali Khan and Salman Akram Raja were among the senior party figures who reached the checkpoint and joined the protest.
However, Aleema Khan expressed displeasure over the absence of other senior leaders. “There’s not so much commitment that someone can’t take even half an hour to come here,” he said. “Everyone should come to Adiala jail.”
