A close aide to PM Shehbaz Sharif claimed two attempts were made to strike a deal with Imran Khan but failed, while another federal minister denied any offer of leniency as debate intensified over Khan’s imprisonment and health.
A senior aide to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has claimed that former prime minister Imran Khan was twice offered a political “deal” but chose not to accept it.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah made the remarks during a television talk show on Wednesday, saying two serious efforts were undertaken to reach an understanding with the jailed leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
According to Sanaullah, the first initiative took place before November 26, 2024, and was led by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi along with then Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. He said a second attempt was later made by certain individuals based abroad. Sanaullah added that Khan had initially shown willingness but subsequently withdrew from the proposed arrangement.
He maintained that the government is seeking a political resolution to the ongoing impasse, but alleged that Khan is unwilling to move toward a compromise.
Sanaullah, considered a close associate of Nawaz Sharif and a senior figure in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, further claimed that Khan’s objective is to see the current administration removed so that he can return to power.
Defending Nawaz Sharif’s past engagement with the military establishment, Sanaullah described the three-time former prime minister as an experienced politician who “found a way forward” for himself and his party.
Reacting to Sanaullah’s disclosure, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Thursday clarified in a post on his X account, saying ”There is neither any deal nor any leniency being offered to Imran Khan. Any impression of the government granting relaxation to Imran Khan is entirely false. Imran Khan is a convicted criminal.”
Meanwhile, Khan’s family and party have demanded eye treatment for him at Shifa Hospital in Islamabad, in the presence of his personal physicians. Khan’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, told the Supreme Court last week that the 73-year-old former premier had lost 85 per cent of vision in his right eye in jail.
Later, Khan’s sister Noreen Khan said, ”Imran Khan is enduring unimaginable mistreatment in prison under the directives of Field Marshal Gen Asim Munir as the country is under illegitimate and un-Islamic rule.” The cricketer-turned-politician has been in jail since August 2023 in multiple cases.
With inputs from agencies
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