Change appears to be sweeping across the political landscape, with recent developments suggesting that lingering tension between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and major stakeholders may give way to cautious engagement, according to sources familiar with the development. With some recent confidence-building measures, the PML-N-led coalition government may establish a contact with jailed PTI leader Imran Khan through Mehmood Khan Achakzai, the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, a key aide of the Prime Minister revealed to The Express Pakinomist on Wednesday. The move comes on the heels of a major development on Tuesday, when KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was named head of a new panel to oversee development work and counter-terrorism operations in the province, a move widely seen as a sign of improving coordination after years of sharp disagreements over security policy. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting at the corps headquarters in Peshawar, attended by KP Chief Minister Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the National Security Adviser who happens to be DG ISI, Corps Commander Peshawar, provincial cabinet members and senior officials. The development comes after months of wrangling between the province and the Center over counter-terrorism measures, including the Tirah operation in Khyber district, which exposed differences on security strategy. Last week, the KP Chief Minister and the Prime Minister met to iron out differences and stressed the need for close cooperation between federal and provincial governments for the development and welfare of the people of KP. Security sources termed Tuesday’s huddle in Peshawar a "positive sign" and said this would be good for the development of consensus on key national security issues. Sources privy to internal discussions indicate that after the ice-breaking meeting in Peshawar, a softer approach to KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is being considered, reflecting a broader effort to reduce political tensions ahead of the key meetings. Similarly, the Supreme Court’s move to allow Salman Safdar to have an extended meeting with Imran Khan on Tuesday in Adiala jail is being seen as a subtle signal showing a softer approach to the PTI. Ikhtiar Wali Khan, Prime Minister’s Coordinator for KP Affairs confirmed that the situation in KP will improve as all stakeholders are now aligned. Laying out the immediate political calendar, he said two major meetings are expected – one with Imran Khan and one with the Prime Minister, both involving Mehmood Khan Achakzai. A meeting between Achakzai and the prime minister is expected on Thursday. "Failing that, it will take place next week before Ramazan. Adding a political twist, Ikhtiar Wali Khan said that after this meeting Achakzai’s countdown from Imran Khan’s side will begin."
Explaining further, he said that Imran Khan prefers "bad boys" and does not work well with matching numbers. So if ‘bad boys’ start turning into ‘good boys’, how would that suit him?" he asked. At this point, Sohail Afridi’s example to Imran Khan has become what Ali Amin Gandapur once was. After meeting the prime minister, Achakzai may become Umar Ayub, suggesting that Imran Khan may no longer want him to function as a major opposition leader. Talking about lowering the political temperature in the country, Wali said the dialogue will take place soon and will be direct with the government without the involvement of power corridors or middlemen. Meanwhile, PTI has also signaled a soft approach to the authorities. According to Junaid Akbar, president of PTI’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa branch, the party has consistently tried to maintain smooth relations with state institutions.
"We want the provincial government and the institutions to remain on the same page, to tolerate each other and recognize each other’s constitutional positions," he told The Express Pakinomist stressing the importance of restoring trust and peace in the province. Akbar emphasized that any strategy prepared jointly by institutions and the government would be more effective. "Otherwise, whatever government comes to power, if the establishment does not support it, it will not succeed and vice versa," he added. He also pointed out that the first cabinet meeting after the formation of the KP government was held at the Corps Commander’s House, a symbolic gesture that reflected a desire to build trust and coordination from day one. Akbar said the process of political engagement is slow. "So far we haven’t seen any real progress. Political figures still do not have access to Imran Khan," he said. He added that Salman Safdar’s meeting took place only on the order of the Supreme Court and information about Imran Khan’s health has not been shared with political actors as per the rules. "If he is given access, the situation will improve. The harder the attitude, the more hate will grow and nobody will gain anything," he said. He noted that Leader of the Opposition Mehmood Khan Achakzai was supposed to meet the Prime Minister on Friday but the meeting was postponed due to foreign guests. "If he comes tomorrow or soon to a meeting, he will be welcomed. We want political forces to come closer together," he said. Both he and Junaid Akbar emphasized the importance of direct communication and cooperation between provincial, federal and institutional actors, a shift in tone analysts see as a possible signal of de-escalation after months of friction.
