The government’s latest appeal for cooperation on counterterrorism comes as restrictions on access to the jailed former prime minister remain a point of dispute.
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s government has defended restrictions on meetings with jailed former prime minister Imran Khan while renewing its invitation to opposition parties to discuss counterterrorism.
Speaking in the Senate on Tuesday, 20 October, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s adviser on political affairs, Rana Sanaullah, urged political parties to put other demands aside and work towards a common security policy. His remarks were reported by The Nation in its 21 October edition and by Geo News on Tuesday.
Sanaullah linked the restrictions on meetings with Imran to what he described as PTI’s hostile messaging about the military leadership. He argued that prison rules justified the measures.
PTI Senator Falak Naz rejected allegations that the party had refused to cooperate against terrorism. She said PTI wanted peace and challenged the federal government’s decision to impose emergency measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. www.nation.com.pk
The exchanges also exposed continuing disagreements over how political dialogue should take place. According to Geo News, Sanaullah said he had proposed that Senate opposition leader Raja Nasir Abbas meet the prime minister or visit the National Assembly speaker’s office. He claimed those suggestions had been declined.
Separately, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said an 11-member consultative committee was operating under Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. He argued that counterterrorism required effective cooperation between the provincial and federal authorities, and accused the former provincial administration of withholding it.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also encouraged PTI to pursue political engagement. Speaking to Geo News at Parliament House, he said the party could find political space through participation and criticised the influence of social media on its approach. www.geo.tv
The latest dispute follows the suspension of the PTI-led provincial government earlier this month. Reuters reported on 14 October that the authorities cited rising militancy, while PTI described the intervention as a political takeover and challenged it in court.
Reuters also reported that earlier negotiations had included PTI demands for prison visits, private medical assistance for Imran and telephone contact with his sons in London. www.reuters.com
The government’s latest invitation centres on counterterrorism, while PTI continues to dispute its account of why cooperation broke down. The reported statements did not announce an agreement restoring access to Imran.
Sources and references
- The Nation — Government’s counterterrorism talks offer and Senate exchanges, 21 October 2026.
- Geo News — Government urges opposition to hold talks on terrorism, 20 October 2026.
- Reuters — Background on the suspension of the PTI-led provincial government, 14 October 2026.
