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Jailed PTI Leaders Urge Political Talks, Defy Imran Khan's Stance
Jailed PTI leaders urge immediate political talks to end Pakistan’s crisis—breaking with Imran Khan’s hardline stance of dialogue only with the establishment.
ND
by News Desk
2025-07-02
Jailed PTI Leaders Urge Political Talks, Defy Imran Khan's Stance

Senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders imprisoned in Lahore’s jail have issued an open letter urging immediate political and institutional dialogue to end what they describe as the "worst political crisis" in Pakistan’s history.

The letter, signed by former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Mian Mahmood Rashid, Ijaz Chaudhry, and Omar Sarfaraz Cheema, signals a clear deviation from party founder Imran Khan’s stance, who has consistently refused to engage with the ruling coalition and insisted on dialogue only with the military establishment.

"We are all in favor of talks. Dialogue is the only way out of this national crisis," the letter read, calling for political and institutional-level negotiations to be initiated without delay.

⚖️ Contradiction with Imran Khan's Position

While Imran Khan has dismissed any possibility of talks with the current political leadership—accusing them of electoral fraud and illegitimacy—the imprisoned leaders have pushed for a broader approach. They also emphasized that all sides, including the opposition and jailed leaders, should be included in the negotiation process.

"The responsibility to initiate talks lies with the government. Blocking or challenging talks from any party would be seen as sabotage,” the letter stated.

The leaders also requested unhindered access to Imran Khan, the Patron-in-Chief of PTI, to allow the formation of a negotiation committee and for regular consultation with the leadership behind bars.

🗣 Gohar Ali Confirms Rift

Confirming the authenticity of the letter, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan acknowledged the internal rift in the party's top leadership.

“Yes, we received the letter. The leadership in jail has their own viewpoint, which is notably different from Imran Khan’s current position. We are reviewing it,” he told The News.

Sources within the party say the letter was issued in coordination with other senior PTI leaders who believe dialogue with the government could be the only viable escape from the current political deadlock.

🏛 A Call for Inclusion and Urgency

The imprisoned leaders made it clear that without political dialogue, the nation risks deeper polarization and instability. They demanded to be included directly in any future negotiation process and emphasized the need for continuous engagement rather than one-off meetings.

Their letter is also seen as a response to the Prime Minister’s recent offer of talks, which Imran Khan had publicly rejected.

Political analysts view this development as a critical turning point in PTI’s internal politics, indicating growing divisions over how to navigate the post-2024 political landscape and mounting pressure to break the impasse that has paralyzed the country’s governance.

 
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