Alliance intensifies political engagement while addressing internal PTI tensions and pushing for access to imprisoned former prime minister.
LAHORE: A newly coordinated political push to restore communication with former prime minister Imran Khan has gained momentum, as the Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz Aein-e-Pakistan (TTAP) outlined a strategic roadmap during a high-level meeting in Lahore.
The alliance, comprising multiple opposition groups including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), committed to prioritizing efforts aimed at reopening communication channels with the jailed leader. The meeting underscored growing urgency around securing visitation rights for Khan and ensuring proper medical care, particularly concerning his reported eye condition.
Sources revealed that PTI has extended full support to TTAP’s initiative to engage government intermediaries in easing restrictions on meetings with Khan. At the same time, internal party tensions have surfaced as a major concern, with participants acknowledging that factional distrust within PTI is undermining broader political objectives.
A parallel effort is underway to address grievances raised by Khan’s sisters, who recently voiced dissatisfaction with the current party leadership during an online discussion. They were advised to engage directly with party leaders to resolve misunderstandings and strengthen internal cohesion.
The Lahore meeting, co-hosted by PTI’s Shayan Bashir and Ammar Ali Jan of the Haqooq-e-Khalq Party, brought together representatives from several political groups, including Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party and Sindh Awami Party. Participants agreed that internal discord is significantly hampering progress toward securing Khan’s release.
To counter this, the alliance announced a nationwide campaign involving rallies, seminars, and political discussions. Leaders emphasized that these activities would remain peaceful and non-confrontational, deliberately avoiding agitation-based movements. A broader strategy is expected to be finalized in an upcoming Islamabad meeting involving all nine alliance partners.
Earlier, TTAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai reiterated that peaceful rallies would be held across the country but warned that any suppression similar to past crackdowns could trigger unrest. He dismissed speculation about internal rifts, attributing reduced activity to regional geopolitical developments, including tensions involving Iran and Pakistan’s diplomatic engagements.
Achakzai reaffirmed unwavering support for Khan, rejecting any notion of a “minus Imran Khan” political formula. Echoing this stance, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja declared that politics in Pakistan cannot exist without Khan, calling alternative scenarios unrealistic.
TTAP spokesperson Akhundzada Hussain stated that the alliance aims to expand political space for the opposition through constructive and inclusive engagement with all sectors of society. The coming weeks are likely to test whether these efforts can bridge internal divides while increasing pressure for political access to Khan.
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