Geo News in Pakistan said that on Thursday, Fawad Chaudhry, the former leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), hinted that Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan, would emerge if an agreement is reached between the party’s founder and the establishment.
As a result of senior PTI leader Shehryar Afridi’s recent declaration that his party would hold “dialogue with the chief of army staff (COAS) and the director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (DG ISI) soon,” as opposed to “rejected individuals” who entered parliament through Form 47, Chaudhry’s remarks came to light amid alleged “talks” between the PTI and the establishment.
Afridi made these statements on the Geo News program ‘Naya Pakistan.’ PTI leadership, however, refuted any clandestine discussions with “anyone.”
Addressing journalists outside the Lahore High Court (LHC), Fawad Chaudhry, who denies severing ties with PTI, predicted that the ousted former Pakistan PM Imran Khan would not strike a deal with the establishment.
Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry of Pakistan remarked, “If he [Imran Khan] strikes a deal, he will become Shehbaz Sharif,” further adding, “Now, a threat to PM Shehbaz is not from his house but from those who brought him to power and outsiders,” according to Geo News.
Discussing Pakistan’s multiple crises, Fawad Chaudhry emphasized the need for recovery from economic instability, stating, “We need to recover.” He reiterated that no new charter is necessary as the Constitution is in place.
Responding to another inquiry, Fawad Chaudhry lauded the judiciary, asserting that “judges are rewriting history.”
On April 30, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Barrister Gohar Khan stated that his party was currently not engaged in ‘backdoor talks’ with anyone, reported top Pakistani daily The Express Tribune.
His statements followed reports indicating that imprisoned PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan had authorized negotiations with the establishment and political factions.
PTI chairman made these remarks during a press conference with party leader Sher Afzal Marwat after meeting Imran Khan at Adiala Jail. He mentioned that the PTI founder had only requested names for talks, clarifying that no negotiations were underway at present.
Gohar stated that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif had been “cleared of all charges while the PTI founder faced punishment in fabricated cases,” according to The Express Tribune.
“The police are being manipulated against our party. Maryam Nawaz appearing in police uniform sends a clear message that the police are subservient to them,” quoted PTI chairman Imran Khan during their meeting.
Earlier reports suggested that Imran had greenlit PTI to negotiate with the establishment and political adversaries. However, he emphasized adherence to rules and expressed PTI’s willingness to engage with both authorities and political rivals for the greater good.