The political landscape saw surprising new developments as senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, Chairman Barrister Gohar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, confirmed meeting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir.
Talking to the media, CM Gandapur confirmed that he and Barrister Gohar met with the army chief, while the PTI chairman said they put their demands before Gen Munir, who reportedly responded positively.
Barrister Gohar, speaking to journalists after visiting PTI Founder Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, stated that the PTI’s demands were presented to the army chief, who responded positively. “The founding chairman has welcomed this meeting, and we hope for improved circumstances moving forward,” he said, adding that if any talks have started, it is a welcome sign.
He further said all issues related to the stability of the country were discussed during their meeting, hoping the situation gets better now.
Gohar emphasized that he only discloses to the media the information that the PTI founder instructs him to, adding that Imran Khan had himself informed the media about Gohar's meeting with the army chief. Talking to journalists at the Parliament House after meeting Imran Khan, Gohar said he was doing everything for the party founder and was, therefore, bound by his instructions.
"Imran Khan said our doors are always open for talks with everyone, while the doors of talks were closed from the other side," Gohar told the reporters.
Ali Amin Gandapur claimed that it was not a one-on-one interaction, but also said details of one-on-one meetings are not disclosed. “Barrister Gohar and I met together. [The army chief] also invited other political parties. One-on-one means the details cannot be disclosed,” Gandapur said, acknowledging that there was another meeting where Barrister Gohar was also present. However, he refused to disclose what was discussed in that meeting.
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When asked by Samaa TV if he had any backdoor contacts with the powers that be, Gandapur acknowledged he had official contacts too, and he passes on messages from the party and its founder. "When I say something, it gets sometimes heated," he commented, adding that when there is a discussion, political people present their concerns.
He was also asked what Barrister Gohar asked the army chief, to which the KP CM responded he had met in the capacity of the PTI chairman. He also refused to divulge the details of discussions during their alleged one-on-one meeting.
When asked about guarantees for the release of PTI’s founder, Gandapur reiterated their reliance on legal avenues. “We are not asking for any guarantees; we trust the courts to deliver justice,” he said.
The meeting was reportedly held in Peshawar during a discussion on law and order, but it has sparked speculation about potential backdoor negotiations. Opposition committee spokesperson Sahibzada Hamid Raza termed the meeting formal, dismissing claims of individual discussions.
"Ali Amin Gandapur and Barrister Gohar met with the army chief, but it was not a one-on-one meeting; it was a formal meeting. Barrister Gohar did not have a one-on-one meeting with the army chief," he claimed.
