The recent statement of the Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ikhtiar Wali Khan, and the analyses of senior journalists have further strengthened the impression that the political environment is changing and the ice between the government and the PTI has started melting.
Media reports said that the process of communication and trust-building between the government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf seems to be accelerating. Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik said that PTI leaders have approached the court to meet Imran Khan, and PTI leaders may meet Imran Khan in Adiala Jail by Thursday.
On the other hand, he clarified that the government has also formed a committee for negotiations, and negotiations can start at any time. Chairman PTI Barrister Gohar has said that no march will be held towards Islamabad now and no call will be given by founding chairman Imran Khan to storm Islamabad. He further said that no container is ready to come to Islamabad.
Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ikhtiar Wali Khan has said that a meeting between Imran Khan and Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai in Adiala Jail is expected soon, which can take place in one or two weeks, and this meeting will take place even before the meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Mahmood Khan Achakzai.
He clarified that the government has already set its conditions for talks, which include not accepting any unconstitutional demands. According to Ikhtiar Wali Khan, even if talks are held, the demand for new elections will not be accepted, and talks with PTI will be within the ambit of the constitution and law.
Senior journalist Zaman Ali says that an atmosphere of trust is being restored between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and the military establishment. According to him, the ice between the two sides has melted to a considerable extent, and it is being speculated that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi will meet Imran Khan in Adiala Jail next week or in the first week of Ramadan.
According to Zaman Ali, two important figures played a key role in this trust-building, including Barrister Muhammad Ali and an important minister of the provincial cabinet. He said that as a result of these contacts, it was decided that the provincial government and institutions would work together, the protest would be peaceful, and no obstacles would be placed in the way of legislation related to military operations.
He added that along with this, it was also decided that the Chief Minister can keep a tough tone in his statements, but will not go towards any confrontation in practice. In this context, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s absence from the public scene in the February 8 shutdown protest also became the centre of attention.
No official explanation has been made in this regard by the Chief Minister’s official media team or PTI; however, a leader associated with the party’s social media has confirmed that the Chief Minister did not participate in the protest.
Senior journalist and analyst Arif Hayat says that Sohail Afridi is trying to improve relations with the federal government and institutions, which is reflected in his meeting with the Prime Minister, Apex Committee meetings, and contacts with Corps Commander Peshawar.
According to Arif Hayat, all these developments indicate that understanding has been reached on some issues, and some powerful circles have also taken a soft stance. He said that non-participation in the protest also seems to be part of the same strategy that has led to the possibility of a meeting between Imran Khan and Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
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