ISLAMABAD – Rana Sanaullah, Political Advisor to the Prime Minister, has clarified that the issue of meeting with imprisoned PTI founder Imran Khan is entirely separate from the broader question of political negotiations between the government and PTI.
Speaking on a private television talk show, Rana Sanaullah questioned PTI’s approach, stating: “If there is any hindrance in meeting with Imran Khan, why doesn’t PTI file a contempt of court petition again? According to jail authorities, they are implementing court orders, but PTI turns such matters into a media spectacle. If police have wrongly obstructed a meeting today, the jail superintendent can be summoned in court tomorrow.”
He further said that PTI seems to have reduced its political agenda to a single issue — arranging a meeting with Imran Khan. “If this is their only problem, then they should come to the table and talk about it. Once the Prime Minister extends an invitation for dialogue, we can start discussions from this very point,” he added.
The remarks come amid heightened political tensions between the ruling coalition and PTI, with stalled dialogue efforts since the May 9, 2023 protests, which resulted in a severe government crackdown on PTI leaders and workers.
Imran Khan, currently serving prison sentences in multiple cases, has repeatedly accused the authorities of denying him fair access to his legal team and party colleagues. Courts have occasionally allowed such meetings, but PTI alleges that jail administrations deliberately create hurdles.
The government, for its part, insists that PTI must separate legal matters from political negotiations, maintaining that dialogue should focus on electoral and governance issues rather than prison arrangements. Rana Sanaullah’s statement reflects the ruling party’s stance that while they are open to talks, they will not let the meeting issue dictate the entire political process.
