Prime Minister’s Advisor on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has hinted at the possibility of relocating incarcerated Pakistani Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan if security or health concerns warrant such a move. decision.
Speaking in an interview with a private news channel, the senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader said Imran’s trials were being held in the jail premises to ensure his security .
“If he is brought to the complex where the anti-terrorism courts or high courts are located, it could be very dangerous,” Sanaullah said, adding that the decision was taken keeping in mind security considerations.
He added: “Arrangements could be made for special arrangements, should safety or health concerns arise. However, nothing of the sort has been discussed so far.”
He said continued dialogue with the opposition would help strengthen the country’s democratic and political system. The political forces in the government should continue dialogue with the PTI to resolve political issues, he added.
Sanaullah’s remarks follow a statement by Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan, who claimed earlier this week that authorities had offered the former prime minister a deal to transfer him from Adiala prison to Rawalpindi towards his residence in Banigala.
According to Aleema, the offers were made through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. She alleged that her brother was repeatedly asked to remain silent in exchange for his transfer, but she questioned how he could agree to be placed under house arrest after serving a prison sentence.
However, the government and the PTI have rejected such offers.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur corroborated Sanaullah’s comments regarding negotiations with Imran Khan. He confirmed that a meeting between the PTI founder and the government’s negotiating committee was delayed due to the absence of National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq from the country.
Now that Sadiq is back, Gandapur said the meeting is expected soon, adding that one-on-one discussions with Khan are ongoing.
Meanwhile, PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat urged both sides to exercise caution, warning that inflammatory remarks could derail ongoing negotiations. “If the committee cannot meet Khan, it should still meet to maintain the momentum,” he advised.
After months of escalating political tensions, the coalition government and the PTI began dialogue last month. The PTI’s preliminary demands included the release of all “political prisoners” and a judicial investigation into the events of May 9 and November 26.
During the second round of talks chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, the PTI sought more frequent access to Imran Khan to finalize a “charter of demands”.
