Ex-PTI leaders push for political truce, seek Imran Khan's release

Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders have re-emerged on the political stage, initiating contacts with senior government figures in what is being described as an effort to ease political tensions and seek relief for the party’s jailed founder, Imran Khan.

Khan has been incarcerated since August 2023 in multiple cases, including the £190 million corruption reference in which he was sentenced to 14 years in prison, while his wife, Bushra Bibi, was handed a seven-year jail term.

With the former prime minister’s legal options narrowing, no breakthrough in sight, and internal rifts within the PTI reportedly deepening, a group of former party heavyweights has stepped forward in what they view as a last-ditch attempt to secure his release.

Fawad Chaudhry, Imran Ismail, and Mahmood Moulvi — all once considered close allies of Khan — have become active again, planning a series of meetings with key political stakeholders to push for political de-escalation. The group is scheduled to meet Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday, where discussions are expected to focus on restoring dialogue and reducing polarisation.

Sources said the former PTI leaders also plan meetings with National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, with schedules currently being finalised. After completing these engagements, the group also intends to visit Adiala Jail to meet Imran Khan.

Chaudhry, Shujaat urged to defuse political strain

Meanwhile, Fawad held an important meeting with Pakistan Muslim League–Q (PML-Q) chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain. The two leaders discussed in detail ways to reduce the intensifying political tensions in the country and to promote reconciliation.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Fawad said that Chaudhry Shujaat had termed dialogue essential for bringing down the political temperature. “The country is currently witnessing extreme bitterness and division. In such a situation, all political forces must come to the negotiating table,” he remarked.

Former PTI leader said he would fully play his part in easing tensions, adding that he had already met senior leaders of the PML-N at a very high level. “In the coming days, you will hear good and positive news,” he said.

He stated that individuals who maintain connections with both sides should be included in the dialogue process to help end the prevailing atmosphere of tension. “To reduce political strain, political parties and the establishment must all sit together,” he added.

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Fawad clarified that he still considers himself part of the PTI, saying, “I don’t want to comment on those displaying political immaturity. True followers of Imran Khan will be pleased with our progress.”

He revealed that, in the first phase, efforts are being made for the release of prisoners held in Lahore jails. “The country is deeply divided, and in this situation, politics of reconciliation is the only way forward,” he said. The move comes after the ex-PTI leaders recently met PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi at a hospital, where, they said, Qureshi endorsed efforts to lower the political temperature.

Last week, speaking on a private news channel, Fawad claimed that PTI leaders — Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Ejaz Chaudhry, Yasmin Rashid, and Mehmoodur Rasheed — had jointly written a letter several months ago calling for reconciliation.

He said the letter reflected a shared stance among the detained leaders that confrontation had reached a point of diminishing return. “The position of these leaders was that confrontation must give way to reconciliation,” he stated.

He added that only a handful of senior figures had the stature to meaningfully engage Imran Khan. “Only Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Rashid, Ejaz, Rasheed, and Omar Cheema can effectively communicate with Imran. There is distance between Imran and the rest,” he claimed.