• Decries ‘lack of transparency’ over Imran’s health
• PML-N figure reportedly conveyed PM’s willingness for negotiations
• PTI leaders fail to meet party founder at Adiala jail yet again
ISLAMABAD: Main opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) on Thursday said it would respond positively if the government formally approached it for dialogue, but warned that the government’s prevailing approach could deepen political turmoil.
The decision was taken at a meeting held after an iftar dinner hosted by Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar at his residence. The meeting was attended by Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Salman Akram Raja, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Asad Qaiser, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai, Atif Khan, Sahibzada Hassan Raza, Ammar Rashid, Dr Zafar Mirza and Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry, among others.
A senior leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Dawn that Allama Raja Nasir Abbas informed the gathering that a key figure from the ruling PML-N had contacted him to explore the possibility of negotiations.
“Allama Sahib said the government figure gave assurance that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wanted to streamline the issues and he will never backtrack from his words if anything is decided,” the leader said.
The alliance decided unanimously to give a positive response to any formal offer of talks. “If the government backtracks again, the public will judge who is serious about the country’s future,” he said. Former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser said TTAP’s immediate demand was that Imran Khan be allowed meetings with his family members and access to his personal physicians. “It is now up to the government whether it wants to cool down the temperature,” he said.
During the meeting, the alliance also called for immediate medical treatment for Mr Khan at Shifa International Hospital and demanded that his personal physicians, Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Asim Yousaf, be allowed to examine him. Leaders criticised what they described as a lack of transparency regarding Mr Khan’s health and warned that any negligence could further aggravate the political situation.
The opposition leaders also expressed concern over rising terrorism, escalating tensions with Afghanistan, the possibility of regional war, deteriorating economic conditions and “increasing repression and lawlessness”.
They voiced apprehension over reports of a possible US strike on Iran, warning that such an action could have serious regional repercussions.
The alliance criticised the government’s handling of the economy and alleged misuse of public funds, including the purchase of a jet in Punjab, while presenting “misleading justifications to the public”.
The leaders stated that Pakistan must show solidarity with Iran at this critical juncture to safeguard the region from destructive consequences of “Zionist aggression”.
Meanwhile, several PTI leaders, including MNAs Shahid Khattak, Meena Khan and Shafiullah Jan, arrived outside Adiala Jail on Thursday but were not allowed to meet Imran Khan.
PTI leader Asad Qaiser told Dawn it was unfortunate that party leaders and Mr Khan’s sisters had been denied meetings with the PTI founder for the past two months.
“If the government does not implement court orders and fails to respect the courts, then who will?” he asked.
Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2026
