ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is making fresh attempts to initiate backchannel talks with the establishment, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur reportedly playing a key role in the effort.
According to a well-placed source, Gandapur is leveraging his connections to revive dialogue between PTI and the establishment. However, PTI Information Secretary Waqas Akram Shaikh denied any such initiative, dismissing reports of ongoing backdoor negotiations.
Despite the denial, insiders claim PTI is eager to reestablish communication and views Gandapur as a central figure in facilitating the process. So far, there has been no indication of interest from the other side.
The military has consistently maintained that it will not involve itself in political matters, emphasizing that political parties should resolve their issues through dialogue. A few days ago, Army Chief General Asim Munir dismissed reports of receiving a letter from PTI founder Imran Khan, stating that even if such a letter arrived, he would forward it to the prime minister rather than read it. His comments followed Khan’s third open letter to the army chief from prison, where he has been held since August 2023 on multiple charges, including corruption and terrorism.
Speculation about possible PTI-establishment talks intensified after Ali Amin Gandapur and PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan recently met with General Asim Munir. However, government and security sources insist the meeting was unplanned and focused strictly on security matters. While reports suggested a follow-up meeting between PTI and establishment figures, sources clarified that no such engagement took place—rather, PTI leaders reportedly met with a federal minister.
Despite efforts by Gandapur and others to push for engagement, Khan continues to adopt an aggressive stance against the establishment, with his open letters widely seen as provocative. Meanwhile, a senior PTI leader, speaking anonymously, revealed that PTI’s foreign chapter is lobbying in Washington to pressure Pakistan for Khan’s release. He also warned that the European Union might take action against Pakistan over alleged human rights violations raised by PTI.
