'PTI long march has no link to party founder’s release'

ISLAMABAD: Head of the Investigation Cell Naeem Ashraf Butt has said that the PTI’s long march has no connection with efforts for the release of PTI founder Imran Khan.

Speaking about the latest developments on program 11th Hour, Butt said PTI founder Imran Khan was recently taken from jail to Shifa Hospital in Rawalpindi, where he also met with two individuals. He claimed matters concerning Khan’s release were being handled separately and were currently in progress.



Butt said the announcement of the long march came amid pressure on the PTI leadership, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. He said Afridi had faced displeasure from Imran Khan.

According to Butt, Imran Khan is personally overseeing matters related to his release, while the PTI leadership has taken its own position regarding negotiations and engagement with the government.

“The long march has no connection with Imran Khan’s release,” Naeem Ashraf Butt said, adding that the PTI leadership had decided how far it intended to proceed in its engagement with the government.

Read more: Govt links inclusion of PTI’s founder affairs in talks to cancellation of long march: Sources

Earlier, it was reported that the government finalised its strategy for holding talks with opposition leaders in the Senate and National Assembly (NA), taking a firm stance that categorically excludes the release of PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, from the agenda.

According to government sources, opposition parties have been informed that matters concerning Imran Khan will only be discussed if Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) postpones or cancels its announced long march.

Sources emphasized that negotiations cannot take place while the Federation faces the threat of an incursion.

The government has also refused to hold discussions regarding transferring Imran Khan to a private hospital on a permanent basis.

However, the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) members will be key topics during an upcoming meeting between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in the NA.