Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa parliamentary party has backed negotiations with the federal government to end Governor's Rule and the state of emergency in the province, according to people familiar with a meeting of more than 40 lawmakers.
Participants said dialogue should clear the way for those two measures to be withdrawn and for the party’s provincial mandate to be restored. Former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur attended. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Noor-ul-Haq Qadri also took part. Accounts differ on whether the meeting was held in Peshawar or online.
What the parliamentary party agreed
Lawmakers argued that talks with the Centre should focus on ending Governor's Rule — temporary federal control of a province through the governor — and the emergency. Some members proposed that Gandapur join the negotiating team, saying a parliamentary party member’s presence would help settle outstanding issues through mutual consultation.
Barrister Gohar told the meeting that a majority of PTI lawmakers in the National Assembly also favour talks with the federal government. Noor-ul-Haq Qadri stressed patience and perseverance in difficult conditions and backed dialogue as the way forward.
Calls to ease tensions
PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai supported negotiations and urged the federal government to reduce political tensions and withdraw Governor's Rule and the emergency. “We are in favour of negotiations. The federal government should reduce tensions and remove governor’s rule and the emergency,” he said.
On the proposal to include Gandapur, Yousafzai said there should be no objection if he was the parliamentary party’s choice. He described Gandapur as an old and loyal associate of PTI founder Imran Khan. Yousafzai also said that anyone making statements against state institutions had no connection with the PTI.
Protests and what was left aside
Members appreciated the decision by party workers not to stage street protests after Governor's Rule and the emergency were imposed. They said demonstrations could have led to incidents similar to those of May 9.
The meeting did not specifically discuss a proposed electoral reforms committee or an offer by the Pakistan Peoples Party for the opposition to join it, because that matter was being handled at the federal parliamentary level.
Aasan alfaaz mein
PTI ke KP ke lawmakers ne federal hukumat se baat cheet ki himayat ki hai. Unka maqsad Governor's Rule aur emergency khatam karwana hai taake party ka mandate wapas aaye. Ali Amin Gandapur meeting mein thay, aur kuch log unhein baat cheet ki team mein shamil karna chahte hain. Party workers ne is dafa protest nahi kiye, kyunke May 9 jaisi soorat-e-haal ka khauf tha.
