Lahore, November 1, 2025: The inside story of a meeting between senior PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi and several former party leaders in Lahore has come to light, with sources revealing that the group discussed launching a campaign titled “Release Imran Khan Movement.”
According to sources, key former leaders — including Fawad Chaudhry, Imran Ismail, Ali Zaidi, Mahmood Molvi, Sibtain Khan, and others — have agreed to play an active role in the campaign aimed at securing the release of the PTI founder.
The sources said that during the meeting, the participants made several key decisions, including establishing contacts with the establishment and holding meetings with senior leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to help defuse political tensions.
It was also decided that efforts would be made to lower the political temperature in the country, and a meeting with Imran Khan would be sought. The group also expressed willingness to work for the release of Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who remains in custody.
Sources added that the former PTI leaders urged Qureshi to take a reconciliatory approach and play a central role in resolving political issues through dialogue. “The former leadership believes that the current PTI leadership is unable to secure Imran Khan’s release,” a source claimed.
The group also met with former senator Ejaz Chaudhry, ex-provincial minister Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed, and former Punjab governor Omer Sarfraz Cheema, where the prevailing political situation was discussed in detail.
Separately, the former PTI leaders have decided to hold meetings with government ministers. A three-member delegation led by Fawad Chaudhry is also expected to meet Maulana Fazlur Rehman to discuss steps to reduce political confrontation in the country.
Speaking to reporters, Fawad Chaudhry confirmed his meetings with PTI’s Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Ejaz Chaudhry, and other leaders, saying that “the PTI leadership has endorsed efforts to secure the release of political prisoners.”
“We will urge the government to take one step forward and have asked PTI leaders to take one step back,” Fawad said, adding that “the country can only move forward if the political temperature comes down.”
