Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf (PTI) has moved away from the reports suggesting that the main member of the Azam Swati party is engaged in talks with the military establishment, with the secretary general of the party, Salman Akram Raja, indicating that such actions are not sanctioned by party leaders.
Addressing journalists outside of an anti -terrorist courtyard of Lahore, Raja said: “The allegations of an agreement between Azam Swati and the establishment have no connection with PTI. He speaks personally, ”said Express News.
Raja underlined the continuous membership of PTI to constitutional principles.
“We defend the rule of law and the supremacy of the Constitution. This remains our goal,” he said.
Answering questions about the reasons why the senior leaders had not yet been authorized to meet the founder of the Imran Khan party, Raja suggested that the delay was intentional.
“It seems that efforts are made to create an ambiguity. Once we have met him, he will become clear if he has authorized a dialogue,” he said.
Raja stressed that no negotiation or decision could be confirmed without direct consultation with Imran Khan.
“Until there is clarity on his part, I cannot comment on any activity of backchannel,” he added.
His remarks come in the midst of ongoing speculations on potential political negotiations between imprisoned PTI leaders and the government supported by the military.
PTI has always rejected any secret conclusion, rather calling a transparent political process and free elections.
Previously, the senior PTI official, Azam Khan Swati, said that he would try to start a dialogue between the imprisoned founder of the Imran Khan party and the country’s army leader.
Azam Khan Swati stressed the importance of the military, appealing to him “a key national institution and a source of pride”. He denied suggestions that his release came within the framework of any agreement, arguing that his loyalty to Imran Khan remained “unshakable”.
