Imran Khan’s Party Rejects Government Briefing Amid India-Pakistan Tensions

On Sunday, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, whose leader is the imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, declared its boycott of a crucial government briefing on the ongoing crisis between India and Pakistan.

The party's political committee released a statement clarifying that the briefing was merely a presentation by the government with no clear attempt to reach a national consensus or involve the major leaders such as Imran Khan.

"Since this is only a government briefing and there does not seem to be any genuine effort to create a national consensus, nor is there any plan to include a key national leader such as Imran Khan, we feel that the presence of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in this briefing is not required," the PTI stated.

The party reaffirmed its strong opposition to terrorism, denouncing it in all its forms. It said that Khan, in jail, has always rejected terrorism in his communiqués to the nation, and also stressed national solidarity, unity, and domestic stability. "His (Khan's) position speaks for itself, and the sense and fearlessness with which he has delivered the message of unity to the country is a reflection of the mind of a national leadership," the PTI further observed.

The party demanded an All-Parties Conference (APC) be convened at once to meet with all political forces and determine a common line of action. "Unfortunately, the government missed this opportunity. Not only was the APC not called, but rather a one-sided briefing is being presented by a government minister," the PTI stated.

The party also declared that, if there were any external aggression, it would lead the country's defense.

Previously, state media reports confirmed that Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and army spokesman Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif would update leaders of political parties on the prevailing national security scenario and the tensions between Pakistan and India.

The relations between the two nations turned bitter sharply after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which took 26 lives, predominantly tourists. This was the most fatal attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019.