Islamabad (The COW News Digital) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Asad Qaiser has alleged that the decision to impose Governor’s Rule and an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been made long before the government engaged in negotiations, claiming the talks were held merely to create an impression of dialogue.
Qaiser questioned the government’s intentions and said negotiations had not been a genuine effort to resolve political differences. According to him, the decision regarding Governor’s Rule and the imposition of an emergency had already been taken, while the subsequent talks were only a formality.
The PTI leader also discussed the party’s internal deliberations following its long march, saying that a fact-finding committee was under consideration to review the events surrounding the protest.
Qaiser’s remarks come amid political tensions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following the imposition of Governor’s Rule and the emergency, measures that have drawn criticism from PTI leaders and supporters. The party has continued to raise questions about the decisions and their implications for the province’s political administration.
Addressing speculation surrounding the party’s internal meetings, Qaiser said Salman Akram Raja had not blamed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi for the long march’s outcome during the party’s core committee meeting.
He also rejected claims circulating on social media about the discussions, saying that much of the information being shared lacked substance. Qaiser added that former provincial chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur had also attended the core committee meeting.
The remarks appear aimed at countering reports of disagreements within PTI over the march and the responsibilities of its leadership. The proposed fact-finding committee could provide an opportunity for the party to review the march’s planning, coordination and outcome before reaching conclusions about any shortcomings.
Qaiser’s statement also highlights the widening dispute between PTI and the federal government over the political situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. While the government’s position on the measures may differ from the opposition’s account, Qaiser maintained that the negotiations were not intended to produce a meaningful settlement.
The PTI leader’s allegations have added to the debate over the circumstances surrounding Governor’s Rule and the future of political engagement between the government and the opposition. No independent evidence was provided in the reported remarks to establish when the decision was made or whether the negotiations were conducted solely for appearances.
The situation remains politically sensitive, with PTI leaders continuing to discuss the long march and the party’s response to developments in the province.
