Jamaat-i-Islami has declined the PTI’s offer to form a coalition government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying that the latter changed its position “at the last minute”.

In a post on social media platform X, JI’s Central Naib Emir Liaqat Baloch said his party had held a meeting with the PTI after the February 8 elections for a consensus on the way forward.

He said the JI had communicated its displeasure at the poll results but welcomed the PTI-backed MNAs who won through the public’s mandate. Baloch said the JI had also extended its unconditional cooperation with these MNAs in terms of party and constitutional and parliamentary protection.

“The PTI welcomed this but in the last stage conveyed the message that they only wanted a coalition for the government in KP,” the JI leader said.

“JI has decided that coalition with PTI at the national level would be in the national interest, but if the PTI has changed its position, then they can settle their affairs with whoever they want in KP,” Baloch added.