A photo of Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai. SCREENGRAB
LAHORE:
TTAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai has said that allowing meetings with PTI founder Imran Khan could help ease political tensions, stressing that those controlling visitation rights hold the key to de-escalation.
Speaking during a brunch with a handful of senior journalists, Achakzai stressed that an opportunity must be afforded to engage with the incarcerated former prime minister and explore a way out of the ongoing political stalemate.
He regretted that the ban on meetings had only aggravated tensions.
In a veiled message to the powers that be, Achakzai, who also heads the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, said that if the restriction on meetings with Imran Khan is lifted, he could potentially convince him to positively engage in dialogue with the other side and tone down his sharp rhetoric, which he said had so far hindered efforts to find an off-ramp.
Despite the informal setting, Achakzai remained evasive when asked how he planned to create political space for PTI or generate leverage that could secure him a seat at the negotiating table.
However, Achakzai did not appear keen on the idea of directly negotiating with the establishment for concessions. Instead, he leaned towards broader political engagement, advocating for a national government aimed at ensuring supremacy of the Constitution, respect for the rule of law and judiciary, parliamentary supremacy and freedom of the press.
He acknowledged that some might disagree, but maintained that an 18-month national government, involving PTI, PML-N and PPP, could help lay the groundwork for the future of democracy in Pakistan.
Responding to a question about whether he had discussed this proposal with Nawaz Sharif, whom he described as a friend, Achakzai said their last interaction was during a parliamentary session, where he congratulated him on Maryam Nawaz becoming chief minister of Punjab.
He regretted that there had been no contact since, adding that Nawaz Sharif, like others, was also constrained within the current setup.
Senior political journalist Mujeeb Ur Rehman Shami, who attended the brunch, remarked that Nawaz Sharif should have extended the courtesy of inviting Achakzai to his residence, given his stature and presence in Lahore.
When asked whether he could guarantee that PTI leadership and Imran Khan’s sisters would support his efforts if he were allowed to meet the former premier, Achakzai said that resumption of meetings would help address any internal misgivings within the party.
Responding to a question drawing parallels with the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s past strategy of combining public pressure with backchannel engagement, Achakzai rejected any such suggestion.
He said that assuming he was in contact with powerful quarters simply because others had done so in the past would be incorrect, warning that short-term remedies could lead to long-term disasters.
He cautioned that sidelining the country’s most popular leader was detrimental to national unity.
