LONDON: Former Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan held multiple meetings in November last year with an American-Pakistani individual involved in recent high-profile negotiations with Pakistani authorities. According to credible sources, these discussions were part of early efforts to explore a political settlement between Khan’s party and the establishment.
Long before a group of American-Pakistanis visited Pakistan in March for talks, this key individual—an old friend and donor of Imran Khan—held several one-on-one meetings with him in Adiala Jail. This American-Pakistani figure also played a major role in organizing the later US delegation that came to negotiate Khan’s release and a possible political understanding.
During the November meetings, Khan reportedly acknowledged the need for reconciliation with the government and the establishment. However, he pulled back after receiving assurances from PTI leaders in KP, including Ali Amin Gandapur, that a massive long march on Islamabad would force the government into talks on PTI’s terms. Encouraged by these claims, Khan abandoned further negotiations and sent a defiant message to government officials.
These jailhouse sessions were arranged by officials hoping to steer Khan away from confrontation and toward accountability, including over the events of May 9 and his social media team’s conduct. But the long march failed, leaving the PTI weakened and negotiations stalled.
Following the violent events of November 2024 in Islamabad, including the escape of Bushra Bibi and Gandapur to KP under gunfire, fresh diplomatic efforts began. A delegation led by American-Pakistani businessman Tanweer Ahmed and PTI USA leader Atif Khan engaged with Pakistani officials. Though Atif did not enter Pakistan, others—including Dr Saira Bilal, Dr Usman Malik, and Dr Mohammad Munir—held two detailed sessions with government representatives.
The delegation urged the release of Imran Khan and other PTI leaders. However, they were told such requests wouldn’t be accepted, and their US campaigns were deemed ineffective. Officials accused some campaigners of profiting off sensationalism online, while hurting Pakistan’s image.
Still, progress was made the next day. It was agreed to reduce hostile online activity and promote dialogue. The delegation returned to the US on a positive note, but news of the meetings sparked controversy among PTI supporters and social media influencers. Accusations of betrayal and collusion flooded platforms like X and YouTube.
Tanweer Ahmed and Atif Khan defended their actions, stressing the importance of dialogue and blaming YouTubers for spreading misinformation for personal gain. They claimed such influencers benefited financially from Khan’s continued imprisonment and would lose relevance if he were released.
Atif also stated that many within PTI, including senior US-based leaders like Sajjad Burki, supported the initiative. Meanwhile, PTI leader Azam Swati publicly backed talks with the establishment, saying Khan was also in favor. However, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja clarified that these were Swati’s personal views and Khan remained firm on his original conditions.
