- Imran targeted state institutions, escalating tensions: Sanaullah.
- Says currently no formal channel for dialogue with PTI.
- Accuses Imran of supporting propaganda, aligning with India.
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Thursday said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) incarcerated founder Imran Khan could be transferred from Adiala jail if the party workers and leaders kept “disrupting” law and order during their protests outside the prison.
Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Geo Pakistan’, Sanaullah said that if such protests on Tuesdays and Thursdays become routine, the government may consider taking action regarding the founder’s transfer to another jail.
The development came a day after the jail authorities dismissed reports suggesting that Imran may be shifted from Adiala jail, with sources calling the claims “pure speculation”.
The PM’s adviser also criticised PTI and its founder for “directly targeting” state institutions, saying, “People will not appreciate conversations against institutions. The PTI’s statements have contributed to the current impasse.”
Speaking on the possibility of dialogue with the PTI, Sanaullah accused Imran of “supporting propaganda against Pakistan and aligning with the enemy country, India.” He said that there is currently no formal channel for dialogue with PTI, despite previous attempts to engage with the party.
“In the past, attempts were made to hold talks with PTI, but the deadlock arose due to statements made by the PTI founder,” he added.
On the purpose of engaging in the talks, he said that the government wanted discussions with all political parties,” adding that even the Inter-Services Public Relations director general had suggested that political parties should engage with each other.
The PM’s adviser said that the deadlock could only be resolved if PTI, as a party, and its founder formally distanced themselves from the events of May 9 and issued an apology for their statements.
“If they continue to insist on their position, the deadlock will persist,” Sanaullah added.
The potential transfer of Imran is gaining attention after his sisters staged a sit-in near Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, following their denial of a meeting with him, which ended after police intervened early on Wednesday.
Earlier, Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ikhtiar Wali said the government was seriously examining proposals to move the “prisoner” from Adiala jail, without naming the ousted prime minister.
“They want the prisoner shifted from Adiala, and the government is genuinely considering it,” he added.
