As Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf prepares for its “do-or-die” protest on November 24, party founder Imran Khan has revealed that he was approached with an offer to postpone the demonstration in exchange for “relief.”
Speaking from Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where he has been held, the former prime minister said, “I was told everything would be fine if I accepted the offer.”
On November 19, Imran’s lawyer Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry and his sister, Aleema Khan, confirmed that the P-T-I leader had authorized party Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to hold discussions. However, these talks were to be conducted only with the “powerful quarters,” a term often used to refer to the establishment.
Political Tensions and Protests
P-T-I has been embroiled in a months-long standoff with the ruling coalition, which it accuses of coming to power through rigged February 8 elections. The party has staged multiple protests in Islamabad as part of its campaign against alleged election irregularities, arrests of its workers, and the judiciary-focused 26th Constitutional Amendment.
Last week, the P-T-I chief called for a “final” nationwide protest to address these grievances.
Imran’s Demand and Response
Imran disclosed that the offer to delay the protest came through Barrister Gohar and CM Gandapur. “I demanded the release of under-trial P-T-I leaders, including myself, to gauge the seriousness of their intent,” he said.
However, he claimed that no action was taken to meet this demand, further asserting, “The lack of response showed they were not serious about negotiations and were only focused on stalling the protest.”
Government’s Missed Opportunity
Imran also criticized the government for what he called a “golden opportunity” to de-escalate tensions by releasing him after the Islamabad High Court approved his bail. Instead, he accused the government of deliberately prolonging the issue by implicating him in further cases.
“Their aim is clear—they want to delay the protest, but the struggle will continue,” he stated.
With just days remaining until the scheduled protest, tensions remain high as both sides prepare for the unfolding political showdown.
