• Salman Akram Raja says Aleema Khan, Achakzai on same page; rues crackdown despite dialogue offer
• PTI leadership takes offence to being called ‘terrorist sympathisers’; says it is against all forms of terrorism

ISLAMABAD: The PTI will not engage in talks with the federal government without the involvement of its jailed founder Imran Khan, its Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said on Thursday, urging the authorities to cede some political space to the opposition party to ensure an environment conducive for the proposed dialogue.

The remarks, made by Mr Raja on Geo News, came amidst proposals by opposition leaders, including some ex-PTI men and federal cabinet members, for a dialogue to end political confrontation plaguing the country.

“Give us an agenda, tell us what topics will be discussed,” he added. “We cannot negotiate in Imran Khan’s absence. You cannot expect to put him in a black hole while everyone else talks… It will not happen like that.”

“You cannot come into our house, attack us, loot us and then invite us for negotiations,” said Mr Raja, as he claimed that the PTI was clear on its stance for talks.

Mr Raja recounted that bet­ween December 2024 and January 2025, they wanted to meet Imran and have him present at the talks, but that was not authorised.

When asked about whether talks would happen on January 12, as per Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Mr Raja replied that he was not aware of the date.

‘On one page’

In response to another question about differing party views on talks, Mr Raja emphasised that Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Imran’s sister Alee­ma Khan were on the same page.

“They’re saying the same thing: talks will only happen when the powers that be realise that the Pakistani people are tired of them and the system.”

Mr Raja further added that Achakzai had travelled from Islamabad to Lahore today for street mobilisation, but claimed that the TTAP chief was stopped several times along the route and several PTI workers had been arrested and “someone had died”.

“How can talks happen in this environment, if you are not willing to give even a little bit of political space?” he asked. “Negotiations do not happen in a graveyard or a jail, they require space.”

PTI against terrorism

In a separate press conference, PTI leaders also responded to the army spokesperson’s recent press conference, saying the party stands against terrorism.

“Any claim that the PTI government in KP has failed to act in the fight against terrorism is nothing but a grave and outright lie,” PTI interim chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said, adding that it was inappropriate to suggest PTI was not among those targeted by terrorists.

Asad Qaiser emphasised that decision-making concerning KP must involve the province. He stressed that blaming the party for the outcomes of flawed policies was unacceptable. He also pointed out that IDPs displaced during the Gen Musharraf era still await resettlement.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Raja said, “Protecting the country’s borders is the sole mandate of our security forces, not political parties.” “If terrorists are crossing into Pakistan, the blame cannot and must not be placed on PTI,” he emphasised, rejecting attempts to politicise national security.

Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2026