LAHORE: Although many PTI leaders — including incarcerated former PM Imran Khan — have repeatedly foretold the downfall of the incumbent set-up, another top party leader on Thursday offered a rare hint about why they believe the government’s days are numbered.

Speaking to reporters at Kot Lakhpat jail, incarcerated PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi hit out at the PPP — the PML-N’s main ally — criticising it for “playing both sides”.

The party claims it is not part of the government, but continues to enjoy the perks associated with being in power, Mr Qureshi said after a hearing at the anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore.

Coming from the former foreign minister, who doesn’t speak to the media as often as the party founder, this statement is being viewed by political observers with great interest.

It is worth noting that before he was put behind bars, Mr Qureshi was Imran Khan’s heir apparent in the PTI hierarchy. He is also among the most well-connected political players in the party and has a great deal of insight into the PPP, a party with which he has had a long and close association.

In recent months, rumours of possible contacts between the PPP and PTI have been swirling. These gained traction when the former went public with its gripes against the ruling PML-N for not involving it in decision-making in Punjab, or consulting it over key decisions, such as the move to ban PTI.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters at Adiala Jail after a hearing of the £190 million corruption case against him, PTI founder Imran Khan once again predicted that the government’s time was likely to run out in two months.

Addressing criticism of the apparent change in his stance — following his indication that he was willing to apologise over the incidents of May 9 and open to dialogue with the establishment — he said that he was not looking for any kind of deal, rather wanted dialogue for the sake of the country.

He also clarified his offer of a “conditional apology” made a day earlier, saying that he had only expressed his willingness to apologise if CCTV footage proved PTI’s involvement in the May 9 violence. He then alleged that the CCTV footage was being concealed.

Qureshi on riots

On Thursday, ATC judge Khalid Arshad adjourned the hearing in the Shadman police station attack case till Aug 10 for further arguments of defence against the charge-sheet filed by the prosecution.

Speaking to mediapersons afterwards, Mr Qureshi said he was ready to take oath on the Holy Quran that he was not involved in the May 9 riots, adding that those who had registered such cases should also take a similar oath.

Malik Asad in Islamabad also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2024