A photo of opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai. SCREENSHOT
LAHORE:
TTAP leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai said allowing meetings with PTI founder Imran Khan could help ease political tensions, stressing that those who control visitation rights hold the key to de-escalation.
Speaking at a brunch with a handful of senior journalists, Achakzai stressed the need to be given the opportunity to engage with the incarcerated former prime minister and explore a way out of the current political impasse.
He regretted that the ban on meetings had only aggravated tensions.
In a veiled message to the powers that be, Achakzai, who also heads the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, said that if the restriction on meetings with Imran Khan was lifted, he could potentially convince him to engage in positive dialogue with the other side and tone down his harsh rhetoric, which he said had so far hampered efforts to find a way out.
Despite the informal setting, Achakzai remained evasive when asked how he planned to create political space for the PTI or generate leverage that could guarantee it a seat at the negotiating table.
However, Achakzai did not seem enthusiastic about the idea of directly negotiating concessions with the establishment. Instead, he moved toward broader political engagement, advocating for a national government aimed at ensuring the supremacy of the Constitution, respect for the rule of law and the judiciary, parliamentary supremacy, and freedom of the press.
He acknowledged that some might disagree, but argued that an 18-month national government, involving the PTI, PML-N and PPP, could help lay the foundation for the future of democracy in Pakistan.
Responding to a question on whether he had discussed this proposal with Nawaz Sharif, whom he described as a friend, Achakzai said their last interaction took place during a parliamentary session, where he congratulated him on Maryam Nawaz becoming Punjab chief minister.
He regretted that there had been no contact since, adding that Nawaz Sharif, like others, was also constrained by the current setup.
Senior political journalist Mujeeb Ur Rehman Shami, who attended the brunch, remarked that Nawaz Sharif should have had the courtesy of inviting Achakzai to his residence, considering his stature and presence in Lahore.
Asked if he could guarantee that the PTI leadership and Imran Khan’s sisters would support his efforts if he was allowed to meet the former prime minister, Achakzai said resumption of meetings would help allay possible internal concerns within the party.
Responding to a question drawing parallels with the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s past strategy of combining public pressure and behind-the-scenes engagement, Achakzai rejected any such suggestion.
He said it would be incorrect to assume he was in contact with powerful circles simply because others had done so in the past, warning that short-term solutions could lead to long-term disasters.
He warned that sidelining the country’s most popular leader was detrimental to national unity.
