PTI holds out an olive branch to rivals

PESHAWAR:

In an apparent shift from its earlier stance, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan extended an olive branch, expressing the party's willingness to engage in dialogue with all political parties.

Speaking to the media in Abbottabad on Wednesday, Gohar said, "Imran Khan will chalk out the future course of action".

This came as the PTI and the ruling coalition traded blame over the violent clashes during last month's protests in Islamabad. The party's protests ended abruptly following a fierce late-night crackdown.

The violence resulted in the deaths of four law enforcement officers. PTI claims that at least 12 of its workers were killed, and over 1,000 arrested. At the same time, the government has denied using live ammunition and confirmed the deaths of four law enforcement officers, including three Rangers personnel and one policeman.

In a separate issue on Wednesday, Gohar dismissed rumours of Bushra Bibi entering politics, saying, "She [Bushra] attended the protest as an ordinary worker".

He also defended Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, asserting that he did not misuse provincial government resources during the protest.

Furthermore, Gohar claimed that at least 5,000 PTI workers were still "missing" after the protests, revealing that efforts were underway to gather data on the missing individuals at the district level.

He criticised the government for its handling of the protests, saying, "No government shoots at its own civilians".

Gohar reiterated PTI's commitment to restoring democracy and securing the release of Imran Khan, adding that the K-P government would announce compensation, including jobs, for the families of those killed during the protests.

Meanwhile, PTI announced its decision to boycott the All-Party Conference (APC) convened by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi to address the recent tribal clashes that left at least 133 people dead and 186 injured.

The conference, scheduled for Thursday (today), aims to ensure sustainable peace in the province.

In a statement, PTI accused the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of having "no mandate in KP" and trying to hold a "lifeless exhibitory meeting" to project itself as a democratic force.

PTI also accused the PPP of supporting the federal government's efforts to ban PTI and alleged the party was involved in "rounding up" PTI supporters in Sindh.

PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram further explained that the boycott decision was due to PPP's "silence on the massacre of unarmed and peaceful civilians," referring to the alleged firing on PTI protesters in Islamabad.

Governor Kundi, speaking ahead of the APC, confirmed that representatives from 16 political parties would attend, with a declaration on the Kurram clashes to be issued afterwards.

The governor said the conference would make demands to the federal government and designate a jirga representative to meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, and the Corps Commander Peshawar.

Kundi also said that the provincial government would not allow "terrorist political groups" to take control of the province, urging all parties to focus on restoring law and order.

He slammed PTI for "neglecting" the Kurram clashes in favour of its Islamabad protests, adding that citizens in Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan had distanced themselves from PTI due to its negative political tactics.

'No talks with government'

However, separately, K-P's Adviser on Information Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif said that while the provincial administration believed in negotiations, including past talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), no dialogue was currently underway with the federal government.

Speaking to the media in Peshawar alongside Shibli Faraz, Saif slammed the federal government, alleging political victimisation. "Fake cases have been registered against us. I have six cases filed against me. We have protested and will continue to do so until this illegitimate government is ousted," he said.

"Going to Islamabad is every citizen's right. Imran Khan has made it clear that the protest is ongoing. Sit-ins, demonstrations, and rallies are all part of our movement."

Regarding negotiations, Saif reiterated his support for dialogue, recalling his role in initiating talks with the TTP.

"I have always advocated for negotiations. We negotiated with the TTP, but currently, no talks are taking place with the federal government. If Imran Khan permits, we are ready to engage," he said.

Rejecting accusations of creating unrest, Saif said, "Those calling us disruptors are themselves illegitimate. They fired on unarmed protesters while negotiations were ongoing."

Discussing law and order, Saif pointed to KP's historical challenges since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.

"The region's instability predates us. The PTI government has not worsened law and order. Border security is a federal responsibility that cannot be shrugged off with mere statements," he added.

Saif said the provincial government was making efforts to stabilise Kurram district, including activating a grand jirga and facilitating a ceasefire.

"The chief minister even provided a helicopter to deliver medicines. There is no emergency in Kurram, just a conflict, which we are addressing by ordering the dismantling of bunkers," he said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's central leadership, on the directive of founder Imran Khan, visited Abbottabad to offer condolences to the family of a party worker martyred during the Islamabad protest.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, along with MNA Ali Asghar, K-P Assembly lawmaker Iftikhar Khan and other officials, visited Lower Tanawal to pay respects at the grave of Abdul Qadir who allegedly died during the protests.

They offered Fateha and laid a floral wreath at his grave. Gohar assured the bereaved family that the party would fully support the families and not leave them alone.