Copyright pakistantoday
ISLAMABAD: Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry has expressed optimism that ongoing efforts to secure the release of political prisoners, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, and to lower political tensions in the country will begin showing results within the next two weeks. Speaking on Wednesday, Fawad said the joint initiative by him and two other former PTI leaders, Mehmood Moulvi and Imran Ismail, was yielding “initial success”. The trio has been pushing for dialogue between the government and PTI in a bid to restore political calm and pave the way for Imran’s release, who has remained incarcerated since 2023. “I am pleased that our efforts for political stability and the release of political prisoners, including Imran Khan, have started to bear fruit,” Fawad posted on X, adding that the effects would become visible “in 10 to 15 days.” He said the group’s outreach aimed at “reducing hostility” in national politics and fostering consensus for long-term development. “It is crucial to cool political tempers if Pakistan is to move toward stability and progress,” he remarked. The statement came shortly after a post appeared on Imran Khan’s official X account declaring that he would “neither hold talks with the government nor with the establishment”. The post, purportedly reflecting Imran’s position from jail, stated that any negotiation decisions would rest with opposition alliance leaders Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Raja Nasir Abbas, both members of the Tehreek-i-Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan. It also quoted Imran as saying he had “complete trust” in PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja — who has recently faced criticism from Fawad over his political stance. Fawad, Ismail, and Moulvi’s recent engagements have drawn attention after their visit to former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at a Lahore hospital last week. Qureshi, who was shifted from jail to the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute for medical treatment, is among several PTI leaders detained in cases stemming from the May 9, 2023 protests that erupted after Imran’s arrest. Qureshi’s lawyer, Rana Mudassar, said his client was surprised by the visit and called for his lawyer immediately. “By the time I returned, they had already left,” he said, noting that the meeting lasted barely ten minutes and did not include any political discussion. Despite this, Fawad and Ismail have maintained that Qureshi agreed on the need to end the political stalemate. They have also claimed to have met jailed PTI leader Ejaz Chaudhry as part of their reconciliation efforts. Following the hospital visit, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja also reportedly called on Qureshi, accompanied by Shaukat Basra and Zaheer Babar. On Sunday, Fawad reiterated his call to “revive political dialogue”, asserting that several senior PTI figures, including more than 15 MPAs, had endorsed the idea of government-PTI engagement. He urged the authorities to take the “first step toward de-escalation” by granting relief to jailed PTI leaders in Lahore and Gujranwala, arguing that they could then help mediate with Imran Khan. “Imran’s mandate remains with the PTI leadership that has been behind bars for the past two years,” he said, referring to senior figures such as Qureshi and Dr Yasmin Rashid. The trio plans to approach the National Assembly speaker, the Senate chairman, and senior government ministers to press for steps to ease tensions. They have also dismissed speculation that their initiative is part of a “minus Imran” arrangement.
