PTI dissidents seek parole for Qureshi, fellow Kot Lakhpat prison leaders

A group of former leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who have formed a National Dialogue Committee (NDC) to promote political reconciliation, has formally contacted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, seeking the parole release of senior party leaders currently held at Kot Lakhpat Jail.

The committee maintains that the release of these leaders is essential to ensure the leadership, credibility and effectiveness of the proposed dialogue process.

In a letter sent to the prime minister on 23 December, the committee welcomed the government’s offer of talks with the opposition, particularly PTI, describing it as a “golden opportunity” in view of the country’s deepening political, economic and institutional challenges.

Notably, the letter does not mention PTI founder Imran Khan, instead focusing on the argument that senior party leaders outside Adiala Jail are better placed to initiate and sustain a meaningful negotiation process.

The central demand outlined in the letter concerns the release on parole of high-profile PTI leaders imprisoned at Kot Lakhpat Jail, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Umar Sarfaraz Cheema, Mian Mahmoodur Rashid and former senator Ijaz Chaudhry.

According to the committee, granting parole to these leaders would enable them to effectively lead and participate in the dialogue process.

The letter further states that the success of negotiations depends on practical confidence-building measures, adding that the release of detained PTI leaders would help create a positive atmosphere and rebuild trust among political stakeholders.

The National Dialogue Committee has also appealed to all political parties to rise above narrow interests and work towards consensus on a Charter of Democracy and a Charter of Economy, which it described as essential for long-term political stability and economic recovery.

The letter is signed by former PTI leaders Mahmood Molevi, Imran Ismail and Fawad Chaudhry, who formed the National Dialogue Committee with the stated aim of paving the way for talks between the government