Tariq Fazal Chaudhry rules out any 'deal, leniency' for PTI after release of Imran's sisters

Says rumours of backdoor channel talks are baseless, lawyers should not politicise Imran's health

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Thursday ruled out “any possibility of leniency, a deal or any concession” for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), rejecting speculation about backchannel contacts with the party over its founder Imran Khan's legal cases.

The minister's remarks came a day after PTI lawyers Sardar Latif Khosa and Barrister Salman Safdar met party founder Imran Khan at Adiala jail in Rawalpindi following an Islamabad High Court order and the release of Noreen Niazi and Uzma after remaining in detention for 50 days under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law.

Speaking on a private news channel concerning the meeting between PTI lawyers and party founder Imran at Adiala jail on Wednesday, the minister said, “I strongly reject the notion that there are any back-channel contacts with the PTI that could affect the legal matters currently pending before the courts, or that there is any possibility of leniency, a deal or any concession from the government.”

“There is no room for any such arrangement,” he added.

He urged the party to keep "political and legal matters" separate from Imran's health, accusing its lawyers of politicising the issue.

Addressing the statements the lawyers made after their visit to the former premier, the minister said, “There are only two possible interpretations: either the PTI's lawyers are politicising Imran's health, or they are not saying anything that has any connection with reality.”

Read: Imran's BP at 'frightening level' but ex-PM still 'alert and strong', Latif Khosa says after hours-long Adiala meeting

“The assumptions and speculation that some kind of change is taking place are baseless. Most of these assumptions are based on wishes and desires," he said.

The minister added that the lawyers' statements and media reports based on sources could ultimately harm the PTI rather than benefit it.

“The assumptions and speculation being made that some kind of change is taking place are unfounded. Most of these assumptions are based on certain wishes,” he said.

The minister also criticised media reports based on sources, saying it is "doing the PTI more harm than good."

He stated that if the party's legal team could focus on legal arguments rather than turn the matter into a political issue, then they may find some way of "securing relief" for Imran.

“Politicising Imran's health through political statements will not benefit them at all,” he added.

Chaudhry also questioned PTI's public stance and its willingness to pursue contacts and meetings. He said that on one hand they "present themselves as uncompromising", while on the other, they seem "very eager" for contacts.

Read more: IHC orders one-hour jail meeting for Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi with lawyers

"They should choose one path: either stand by their narrative or, if they want meetings and contacts, then there should be meetings and contacts,” he said.

He said the government had repeatedly invited the PTI to sit down for talks, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also extended an invitation for negotiations.

Yesterday's court-mandated meeting between Imran and his lawyers lasted between three and four hours, during which the lawyers discussed the couple's health and legal cases. Safdar said the meeting had been held to obtain legal instructions, adding that “comprehensive legal instructions” had been given by both Imran and Bushra Bibi.

After the meeting, Khosa said Imran's blood pressure continued to fluctuate and had reached a “frightening level”, while his eye-related problems also persisted.

However, he said the former prime minister remained “completely alert” and his spirits were strong. Khosa also confirmed that the possible 28th Constitutional Amendment had been discussed, but declined to share further details.

The IHC had directed authorities to facilitate the meeting while hearing appeals filed by Imran and Bushra against their convictions in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case, and directed their counsel to begin arguments at the next hearing.