ISLAMABAD: Amid ongoing tensions between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) over former prime minister Imran Khan’s eye treatment, the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aiyeen Pakistan (TTAP) has accepted the government’s offer to hold negotiations to break the political deadlock.
The decision was taken during a consultative meeting of the alliance in Islamabad late Wednesday night, sources told Geo News.
The meeting was attended by National Assembly Opposition Leader and PkMAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Senate Opposition Leader and Majlis-e-Wahdat Muslimeen head Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, TTAP leader Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar and others.
Sources said participants reviewed recent statements by Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and agreed to give a “positive response” to the government’s offer for dialogue.
Earlier this week, Sanaullah reiterated the ruling party’s invitation for talks while addressing the Senate, saying dialogue had been offered even when the current opposition was in power. He stressed that democracy progresses through negotiations rather than deadlock and urged the opposition to participate in parliamentary committees and strengthen the Charter of Democracy.
During the same session, Abbas called on the government to improve relations with jailed former premier Imran Khan and assured that the opposition would not seek to topple the government.
Sources said opposition leaders are expected to establish contact with key government figures during the holy month of Ramadan.
Confirming the development, PTI leader Atif Khan said all opposition parties attended the consultative session and unanimously authorised Achakzai and Abbas to represent the alliance in negotiations. He added that the opposition would formally respond to the government and present its position publicly.
PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Junaid Akbar said the opposition believed in political engagement and reconciliation. He emphasised the need to end confrontation with state institutions but maintained that the government must also create an enabling environment for dialogue.
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“If political space is not provided, the negotiation process cannot move forward,” he said, urging authorities to normalise the situation to ensure meaningful talks.
The development comes amid rising concern over Imran Khan’s health. The PTI founder, incarcerated since August 2023, has been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a serious eye condition requiring close monitoring. A report submitted to the Supreme Court earlier this month stated that he has lost around 85 percent of vision in his right eye.
On Tuesday, he was brought to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences for a follow-up procedure, where he received a second dose of anti-VEGF intravitreal injection on February 24.
While PTI has demanded that his treatment be conducted at Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad in the presence of his personal physicians, the government has accused the former ruling party of politicising the health issue.