Fawad Chaudhry, Imran Ismail and Mahmood Moulvi become active again and schedule meetings with political stakeholders
Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders have re-emerged on the political scene, initiating contacts with senior government figures in what is being described as an attempt to ease political tensions and seek relief for the party’s jailed founder, Imran Khan.
Khan has been jailed since August 2023 in several cases, including the £190 million corruption reference, in which he was jailed for 14 years, while his wife, Bushra Bibi, was jailed for seven years.
With the former prime minister’s legal options narrowed, no breakthrough in sight, and internal divisions within the PTI reportedly deepening, a group of former party heavyweights have come forward in what they see as a last-ditch effort to secure his release.
Fawad Chaudhry, Imran Ismail and Mahmood Moulvi – all once considered close allies of Khan – have become active again and are planning a series of meetings with key political stakeholders to push for political de-escalation. The group is scheduled to meet Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday, where discussions are expected to focus on restoring dialogue and reducing polarization.
Sources said the former PTI leaders are also planning meetings with National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, with schedules being finalised. After completing these engagements, the group also intends to visit Adiala Jail to meet Imran Khan.
Chaudhry, Shujaat urged to moderate the political strain
Meanwhile, Fawad held an important meeting with Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain. The two leaders discussed in detail ways to reduce the rising political tensions in the country and promote reconciliation.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Fawad said that Chaudhry Shujaat had termed dialogue as essential to bring down the political temperature. “The country is currently witnessing extreme bitterness and division. In such a situation, all political forces must come to the negotiating table,” he noted.
Former PTI leader said he would fully play his role in easing tensions, adding that he had already met senior leaders of PML-N at a very high level. “In the coming days you will hear good and positive news,” he said.
He stated that people who maintain relations with both sides should be included in the dialogue process to help end the prevailing atmosphere of tension. “To reduce the political burden, political parties and the establishment must all sit together,” he added.
Also read: Make or break talks: Pakistan, Afghan Taliban meet in Istanbul today
Clarifying that he still considers himself part of the PTI, Fawad said: “I do not want to comment on those who show political immaturity. True supporters of Imran Khan will be happy with our progress.”
He revealed that in the first phase, efforts are being made to release prisoners held in Lahore jails. “The country is deeply divided and in this situation reconciliation politics is the only way forward,” he said. The move comes after the former PTI leaders recently met PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi at a hospital where Qureshi, they said, supported efforts to lower the political temperature.
Last week, speaking on a private news channel, Fawad claimed that PTI leaders – Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Ejaz Chaudhry, Yasmin Rashid and Mehmoodur Rasheed – had jointly written a letter several months ago calling for reconciliation.
He said the letter reflected a shared view among the detained leaders that the confrontation had reached a point of diminishing return. “The attitude of these leaders was that confrontation must give way to reconciliation,” he said.
He added that only a handful of senior figures had the stature to meaningfully engage Imran Khan. “Only Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Rashid, Ejaz, Rasheed and Omar Cheema can effectively communicate with Imran. There is distance between Imran and the rest,” he claimed.
