The imprisoned founder of Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, has refused to allow anyone to hold conversations with the establishment, President of President Gohar Ali Khan said Tuesday.
His statement comes days after PTI leader Azam Swati said he had received Khan’s wink to contact the establishment to solve problems to bring political stability to the country.
Last week, Swati, while talking to a private news channel, said he would meet ‘someone’ after which he could say what the future course of action would be.
He also hinted at the inclusion of former President Dr. Arif Alvi and some others in the negotiation process, and added that “he would know someone next Wednesday” and wanted Alvi and some other friends to join him.
Talking to journalists outside the Adial prison of Rawalpindi after meeting Khan, Gohar said that the founder of the party has given him “six statements” today.
“The founder of PTI said that he has not pressurized anyone to reach an agreement,” said Gohar, added that Khan also declared that his party would present his narrative on the Mining and Mineral Law after consulting political leaders.
Gohar added that he would discuss the mining and mineral bill with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Prime Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.
A bill recently presented at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly by the ruling PTI to regulate investment in the mining and mineral sector of the province has caused a strong debate, causing criticism of the opposition parties, the allies and even the voices within the PTI.
The opponents argue that the proposed law threatens to undermine the provincial autonomy and deliver greater control of the natural resources of KP to the federal government.
However, the KP government maintains that the legislation has been misunderstood and insists that it is designed to stop illegal mining and attract investments.
The bill was introduced into the provincial Parliament at a time when the federal government anxiously promoted the country’s mineral reserves to attract foreign investment.
Gohar urged PTI’s leadership to refrain from making statements on the matter until Gandapur and political leadership meet with Khan.
In addition, the founder of PTI “expressed his concern” about matters related to Afghan refugees and, particularly, Afghanistan.
Pointing towards the discontent among the leaders of PTI, the founder of PTI issued strict directives to the party leaders so that they no longer give statements to each other.
The former imprisoned user also gave his directives on the Great Alliance of the opposition, saying that the PTI should work on a brief agenda to ally with the opposition parties.
“The founder of PTI said that all opposition parties will have to gather [on a single platform for [the protection of] Democracy, “Gohar said.
Today’s meeting between Khan and PTI leaders was once again hit by the controversy, since Gohar criticized that the party granted permission to “only two lawyers” for the meeting of their list; However, “five lawyers met with the founder of PTI today.”
It is noteworthy mention here that PTI leaders who met Khan today in Adiala prison include Gohar, Barrincer Sallman Safdar, Faisal Chaudhry, Ali Imran and Rai Salman.
The PTI legislator also criticized the prison authorities for preventing Khan family members from meeting him in jail. “We condemn you for not allowing Khan’s sisters to know him.”
He recalled the clear instructions of the Superior Court of Islamabad to the prison authorities for allowing Khan twice a week.
‘Not closed negotiation doors’
PTI spokesman Sheikh Waqas Akram clarified that former PM Khan has never closed the doors of negotiations and added that conversations can only be maintained in national interests, covering central problems, including the supremacy of the law and the Constitution.
He reiterated that the founder of PTI believed in obtaining justice from the courts. Akram added that the founder of PTI decided to seek the release of the courts, but was not reaching any agreement.
The party spokesman prepared that Khan instructed for an informative session of CM Gandapur in the bill of mines and minerals, which would be approved [from the KP Assembly] After approval.
The main leader also ordered PTI leaders to refrain from giving conflicting statements about such legislation. In addition, the founder of PTI also asked the KP assembly to enter a resolution for Afghan refugees, Akram concluded.
