Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political and Public Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, criticized Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for its social media team’s role in spreading “hatred and negativity,” calling it the “biggest hurdle” in restoring relations with both political parties and the establishment.
In an appearance on private news channel Sanaullah pointed out that PTI had become a victim of its own social media brigade, which was nurtured by party founder Imran Khan to target political opponents.
His comments come amid reports of backchannel efforts by Pakistanis based in the US, who reportedly met with high-ranking officials during their recent visits to Pakistan in hopes of securing relief for the imprisoned former Prime Minister. However, Sanaullah said he could neither confirm nor deny these reports.
The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader stated that the government had no concerns regarding PTI’s alleged backdoor negotiations. He added that such efforts would be futile unless PTI showed genuine remorse for the violent events of May 9, as demanded by the military’s chief spokesperson last year.
It also revealed that a group of US-based Pakistani doctors and businessmen had met with Imran Khan while he was incarcerated in Adiala Jail, as well as with a senior official in Islamabad. These meetings are part of ongoing efforts by PTI and its supporters to secure relief for Khan. However, a source familiar with these efforts indicated that the success of these backchannel talks depends on PTI’s social media conduct and Khan’s actions.
During the interview, Sanaullah blamed Khan for sowing division and hostility in Pakistani politics through revenge and propaganda. He emphasized that PTI’s current troubles were self-inflicted, not caused by the current government.
Regarding the possibility of dialogue, Sanaullah reiterated that it was PTI’s responsibility to take the first step toward resolving political differences through meaningful discussions.
Earlier in the day, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan denied that his party had any connection to the US delegation in Pakistan. He also distanced PTI from a bipartisan bill in the US House of Representatives that proposes sanctions against Pakistani officials, following allegations of human rights abuses against Khan. The bill, titled the Pakistan Democracy Act, seeks to impose restrictions on individuals accused of committing human rights violations, such as the persecution of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Gohar clarified that PTI had no involvement with the legislation currently under consideration in the US Congress.
