Imran Khan Confirms Initiating Dialogue with Military Establishment

  • Gohar Ali Khan, Senator Ali Zafar and lawyers meet Imran.
  • PTI founder says current govt lacks any real authority.
  • Imran claims dialogue initiative not about seeking favours.

ISLAMABAD: Imran Khan, the founding chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former prime minister, has verified that he instructed Azam Swati, a senior party leader, to begin a dialogue with the military establishment.

During a meeting with party leaders and lawyers at Adiala jail in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, Imran stated that this outreach was not connected to his ongoing legal cases. Instead, he said it was undertaken purely in the interest of Pakistan.

According to sources, Imran told his visitors that he has always been open to dialogue with the establishment. He clarified, however, that his party had stopped discussions with the current government, which he views as lacking genuine authority.

Those who met with the PTI founder included PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Senator Ali Zafar, and lawyers Zaheer Abbas, Mubashar Awan, and Ali Imran.

During the meeting, Senator Zafar asked for Imran’s response to a recent video statement made by Swati.

In the video, Swati disclosed that Imran had directed him to engage with the establishment while maintaining confidentiality about the discussions. Swati added that despite Imran’s public criticism of the military leadership, efforts were underway behind the scenes to re-establish dialogue.

Imran responded by reiterating that the dialogue initiative was not an attempt to gain personal favours or legal leniency. He stated, “This is about Pakistan, democracy, the rule of law, and respecting the people’s mandate.”

He further stated that he remains committed to fighting his legal battles in court and will not seek any behind-the-scenes relief. Imran emphasized that while he has ruled out talks with the government, he remains open to engaging with the military establishment.


Originally published in The News