A day after clarifying his party’s stance on political dialogues, former president and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Dr. Arif Alvi claimed that imprisoned party founder Imran Khan is being pressured to “strike a deal and leave the country.”
Speaking to journalists in Faisalabad on Wednesday, Alvi stated that Khan has refused the offer, insisting that he will not leave the country “under any circumstances.”
The former president predicted that those conspiring to convict Khan — the former prime minister — will ultimately fail.
Addressing the issue of dialogue offers, Alvi said that PTI is open to discussions with “stakeholders but not with non-stakeholders.” He urged stakeholders to let go of hatred and adopt a more compassionate approach.
Alvi also reassured that stakeholders should not fear any risks following the release of the PTI founder. He called for the release of the former prime minister, the upholding of the law, and the restoration of the party’s mandate.
Alvi criticized the current rulers, describing them as “powerless” and claiming they came to power through “Form 47” without the authority to make decisions.
He reiterated that PTI is willing to engage in dialogue with those who hold genuine decision-making power.
These remarks were made in response to questions about the perception that the incarcerated former prime minister, who was ousted via a parliamentary vote in April 2022, is unwilling to engage in dialogue with political opponents to stabilize the country.
The statement follows multiple calls from the current government urging PTI to engage in talks to resolve the political crisis. However, the former ruling party has yet to provide a clear response.
In a press conference in Lahore, Alvi expressed his frustration, stating that he has “lost all hope as accountability is impossible in Pakistan.”
