Amid reports that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is seeking backchannel negotiations, Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza has claimed that an offer is being made to Imran Khan for the annulment of his disqualification.
Speaking on Geo News’ program Capital Talk on Tuesday, Raza stated, “The PTI founder did not request the release of any party leaders during the discussions with the government. Instead, an offer is being extended to nullify his disqualification within three months.”
His remarks follow reports from a well-placed source, as cited by The News, that PTI is once again attempting to initiate backdoor talks with the establishment. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur is reportedly playing a key role in these efforts. However, there is currently no indication that the establishment is open to engagement.
Imran Khan was first disqualified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in August 2023 for five years after a trial court found him guilty in the Toshakhana case. The electoral body ruled that he had engaged in corrupt practices under Section 167 of the Elections Act, 2017. His disqualification was extended to 10 years in July 2024 after an accountability court sentenced him to 14 years in prison in the New Toshakhana case, which is separate from the initial case.
This is not the first time such claims of a deal have surfaced. Earlier this month, KP CM Gandapur alleged that a proposal had been made to transfer Imran Khan to Bani Gala, Nathia Gali, or the CM House. However, no progress was made as Khan reportedly insisted on the release of all detained PTI workers before agreeing to any relocation.
Reports of backdoor negotiations have emerged after formal talks between PTI and the ruling coalition stalled. The impasse occurred when PTI refused to continue negotiations, citing the government’s failure to establish a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 riots and the November 2024 protests in Islamabad.
With PTI threatening protests and gearing up for a power show in Swabi on February 8, Imran Khan—who has been imprisoned for over a year—has written multiple letters to the country’s military leadership, specifically Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir. The letters reportedly address issues such as alleged election rigging in 2024, terrorism-related charges against PTI members, police raids, crackdowns on PTI workers, and economic concerns.
However, General Munir has denied receiving any such correspondence and stated that even if he did, he would forward it to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif without reading it.
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