Pakistan – Government Invitation for Dialogue with PTI

December 24, 2025

Pakistan

Government Invitation for Dialogue with PTI

Padmini Arhant 

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif latest invitation to PTI for direct dialogue and discourse to amicably resolve political differences and focus on economic issues is once again a graceful diplomatic gesture.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and coalition partner Pakistan People Party Senior head and current President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari extended similar invitation and even invited PTI Chairman Imran Khan post 2024 national election to assume power, with PTI having won the 2024 election as a majority, despite the undemocratic conditions experienced by PTI contestants and poll restrictions on PTI contenders at that time. 

Unfortunately, PTI leadership then overwhelmed by disappointment rather than rationale declined the offer in 2024 akin to the response today to PM Shehbaz Sherif’s public invitation to PTI for discussion.

Then onwards PTI confrontation with Pakistan’s Defense Force and moderate political factions have led to status quo in 2025.

Pakistan politics traveling down the memory lane in not so distant past, the situation PTI faced in 2024 was experienced by PML(N) and PPP then as coalition in 2018, when PTI Chairman Imran Khan was bolstered to power by the same Pakistan’s Defense Force domesticslly referred to as “the establishment”. 

In 2018, the incumbent PML (N) and PPP as coalition won the national election against PTI with a minor shortfall in forming the government. 

Juxtaposed, PTI had a bare minimum seats struggling to galvanize support from other political factions in the 2018 national election.

In fact, PTI in 2018 formed alliance with unsavory fringe political parties for the sake of gaining power, and yet fell short of the constitutional requirement to form government that was micromanaged by then Pakistan’s Defense Force under then Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa. 

The recent press meet by Pakistan’s Defense Force, DG ISPR Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry statement was not wrong that PTI Chairman Imran Khan was provided the opportunity to head Pakistan as Prime Minister by Pakistan’s Defense Force in 2018, with whom PTI is having issues post 2024 election.

It is also noteworthy and often forgotten by political parties especially upon losing elections, referendum, Parliamentary No-Confidence vote…the responsible factors and factions in the process. 

PTI was let down by own coalition in 2022 No-Confidence Vote, though the move originated from the proxy administration in Washington in 2022 together with Indian ruling power, the BJP government, and other external intervention such as prominent EU member states against then PM Imran Khan.

EU contention against PM Imran Khan was related to negotiation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on oil import that Pakistan required, similar to neighbor India and others at the onset of then Washington administration triggered Ukraine – Russia war in February 2022.

India’s oil purchase from Russia in 2022 was not as contentious for EU though subtle remarks were obvious in public appearance compared to EU reaction to Pakistan’s same initiative under then PM Imran Khan. 

PM Imran Khan had every right to prioritize fuel and natural gas national requirement and that too amid COVID pandemic environment. 

EU regardless of Ukraine-Russia war in 2022, the key members like Germany and non-member and EU trade partner Finland maintained natural gas imports from Russia.

Likewise, EU and NATO member Hungary defied EU ban on oil and natural gas imports from Russia and continued energy imports from Russia regardless of Ukraine – Russia war escalation in 2022 and thereafter.

Pakistan without a doubt was treated differently in economic trade by EU and then Washington proxy administration in 2022.

The culmination led to Washington proxy administration in 2022 authorizing No-Confidence vote against PM Imran Khan. 

The No-Confidence vote against PM Imran Khan and PTI government was also facilitated by PTI coalition that fled the ship at the time of foreign created political crisis to destabilize Pakistan. 

Considering these factual events and PTI coalition fragmentation, PM Imran Khan’s political strategy to survive the challenges was myopic ignoring immediate and long term downturns as a result.

The former PM Imran Khan’s recent criticism of Pakistan Defense Force dealings with Afghanistan’s Taliban, and Indian political adversarial relations regardless of both states endangering Pakistan and regional safety and security, influenced by PTI misguided interpretation. 

The former PM Imran Khan suggested peace talks and dialogue over Pakistan Defense Force military response against Afghanistan and India, that have launched preemptive strikes and provocative aggressions.

In the domestic front, PTI’s current policy rejecting talks with the ruling government and political parties, and instead returning to major people’s rally called on February 8, 2026 repeating the mistake on May 9, 2025 is contradictory.

The PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s response from prison is understandably emotionally charged than rationally composed under these circumstances that PTI has gotten involved in the aftermath of No-Confidence vote outcome in 2022 and then onwards. 

Nonetheless, the political conditions for PTI right now declining government’s peaceful overtures unnecessarily exacerbate the former PM Imran Khan’s chance of potential release and participation leading Pakistan towards a stable and viable political and economic status. 

The former PM Imran Khan accepting PM Shehbaz Sharif’s invitation for direct political discourse via designated members of PTI, those with political experience and maturity in mutual respect of authorities in politics and Pakistan Defense force could pave a peaceful and positive pathway for PM Imran Khan’s release.

Furthermore, PTI commitment to renounce counterproductive doctrine venting anger and  revenge against those publicly and privately identified, alongside pledging solidarity to lead Pakistan in fighting terror within and outside, besides promoting ongoing significant economic development and progress would provide PTI and leader Imran Khan a new beginning in the coming New Year 2026. 

In terms of political win and loss, the leading political parties PML(N), PPP and PTI have gone through the power swap in 2018 by PTI, and in 2024 by the current political power.

Although, the people mandate and elected choices merit ascendence to power and governance strengthening democracy.

The major political parties’ power transfer are now even and PTI joining the governance in effective role and contesting election in 2029 through ballots would unify the disoriented PTI and allow the present government under PM Shehbaz Sharif to function without any disruptions and disorder.

Pakistan’s Defense Force consideration of these transitions and former PM Imran Khan having spent three years in prison, the release of PTI leader Imran Khan to join Pakistan’s political scene with PTI rule in Khyber Pakhthunkhwa (KPK) lately affected by terrorism in successive attacks taking advantage of PTI’s political instability could provide relief to KPK population and guarantee security in the province and nationwide. 

Peace and political stability to Pakistan.

Padmini Arhant 

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