Salman Akram Raja denies any PTI deal with establishment

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja on Tuesday refuted speculations about any backdoor negotiations between PTI and the country’s establishment, asserting that the party continues to stand firmly on constitutional principles and democratic legitimacy.

Speaking to the media in London, Raja stated that he had no knowledge of any ongoing dialogue between PTI leadership and the establishment. “There is no deal-making. We are not making compromises. We are talking about the Constitution and the law,” he said.

Raja dismissed the cases against PTI founder Imran Khan as baseless, saying the legal battle over the Al-Qadir Trust case had no merit. He added that the sentence in that case had already been suspended, and another "sentence is being imposed next week", indicating what he suggested was a pattern of politically motivated charges.

Commenting on recent tensions between Pakistan and India, Raja made it clear that despite the party’s opposition to the current government, PTI stands united with the armed forces. “We do not support this Form 47 government,” he said, referring to allegations of electoral rigging, “but we are with our soldiers.”

He further denounced what he described as an artificial and illegitimate government, reiterating, “We will never support a puppet regime.”

Raja called for replacing the proposed All Parties Conference (APC) with a joint session of Parliament, arguing that real decisions must be taken within democratic institutions. He also criticised the controversial 26th Constitutional Amendment, saying it amounted to an attack on the judiciary. “Courts are not functioning as they should,” he remarked.

Addressing concerns about the PTI founder’s health, Raja clarified that Imran Khan is being kept in solitary confinement with restricted access to visitors. However, he assured the public that the former prime minister is not facing any issues related to diabetes or blood pressure.