ISLAMABAD: Head of the Investigation Cell Naeem Ashraf Butt has said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march has no connection with efforts to secure the release of party founder Imran Khan.
Speaking on a current affairs programme, Butt said matters concerning Imran Khan’s release were being handled separately and were already in progress.
He claimed that Imran Khan was recently taken from jail to Shifa Hospital in Rawalpindi, where he also met with two individuals.
Butt said the announcement of the long march came amid pressure on the PTI leadership, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who he claimed had faced displeasure from the PTI founder.
According to Butt, Imran Khan was personally overseeing matters related to his release, while the PTI leadership had adopted its own position regarding negotiations and engagement with the government.
“The long march has no connection with Imran Khan’s release,” Butt said, adding that the PTI leadership had decided how far it intended to proceed with its engagement with the government.
Earlier, government sources said the government had finalised its strategy for talks with opposition leaders in the Senate and National Assembly, excluding the release of Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, from the agenda.
According to the sources, the government had conveyed to opposition parties that matters concerning Imran Khan could only be discussed if PTI postponed or cancelled its announced long march.
The government also reportedly ruled out discussions on permanently transferring Imran Khan to a private hospital.
Meanwhile, the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commission of Pakistan members is expected to remain among the key issues in an upcoming meeting between the prime minister and the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly.
