Rawalpindi, January 16,2025: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar confirmed on Thursday that he, along with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, held a meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir. This acknowledgment comes after Gohar had previously denied any such interaction.
Speaking to journalists at the Adiala Jail courtroom, Gohar described the meeting as a significant step toward addressing the party’s concerns. He stated, “All matters and demands of PTI were presented directly to General Munir. It was a positive engagement, marking progress in resolving ongoing issues.”
Imran Khan, the PTI founder, also confirmed the meeting, adding that the party had long sought direct dialogue with the establishment. He noted that Gohar and Gandapur had met the COAS in Peshawar, emphasizing the party’s commitment to negotiations.
Sources revealed that Gohar was transported to Peshawar via helicopter for the meeting, which coincided with General Munir’s visit to the city. During this visit, the COAS met with provincial political leaders and reiterated the importance of political stability, stating, “If there is a state, there is politics. Without a state, there is nothing.”
The meeting follows reports that backchannel talks between the PTI and the government, which had stalled in recent weeks, have resumed and entered a critical phase. According to informed sources, Gohar and Gandapur held an exclusive meeting with three key figures at an undisclosed location last Monday. The next round of discussions is expected to include a federal minister and other significant stakeholders.
The outcome of these talks hinges on PTI’s approach to future politics, particularly its willingness to embrace the system and abandon confrontational tactics. The development coincides with the third round of formal dialogue between PTI and the government, during which the party presented its written demands.
PTI’s demands include the formation of two commissions, led by either the chief justice or senior Supreme Court judges, to investigate the events of May 9, 2023, and November 24, 2024. Additionally, the party has called on federal and provincial governments to comply with court orders granting bail or suspending convictions of political prisoners.
