Influential figures from PTI, govt start backchannel talks to break deadlock

Backchannel meetings between influential figures of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led government have begun, with both sides agreeing to take steps aimed at normalising the political environment in the country, sources told 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.

According to sources, representatives from both sides held initial discussions in which a consensus was reached on facilitating meetings between political leaders and PTI Founder Imran Khan as part of efforts to reduce political tensions.

Sources said that the Speaker’s Office also played a positive and facilitative role in advancing the dialogue process.

The meeting was attended by three key government figures, while PTI was represented by an important political personality from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

During the discussions, the PTI representative strongly demanded that political figures be allowed to meet the PTI founder. In response, the government delegation gave a positive assurance, agreeing in principle to facilitate meetings between Imran Khan and political leaders.

According to sources, the PTI leader pointed out that currently, non-political individuals are meeting the PTI founder, leading to non-political discussions that often complicate political matters further.

The PTI leader from KP also stressed that if political leaders are allowed to engage directly with Imran Khan, issues could be resolved through a political process.

The PTI representative maintained that meaningful political dialogue, rather than informal or non-political engagement, was essential to finding a way forward and easing the prevailing political uncertainty.

Sources described the meeting as an important first step towards broader political engagement, indicating that further contacts between the two sides are expected in the coming days.

Reporter: Tayyab Saif