Akbar S Babar extends olive branch to Imran Khan, seeks dialogue to save party

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s founding member Akbar S Babar has proposed dialogue with party’s former chairman Imran Khan to move forward together to save the party from further disintegration.

Addressing a press conference at the National Press Club Islamabad, Akbar S Babar said that his loyalty lies with this land and country. He emphasized that no political party or individual was above the country and it is the passion for politics that pulls nations forward.

He mentioned that the symbol of ‘bat’ was legally taken away when, despite numerous opportunities over two years, intra-party elections were not conducted. This suggests a belief that one is above the law, which is not the case of Imran Khan as there is a set law and order.

The PTI’s founding member further stated that he has made the current proposal because the party’s existence is at risk. It was heading towards another crisis, and if this continued to run, the party could end up being de-listed by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

He said that that when the election commission declared the intra-party elections null and void, I said that if you do not conduct transparent elections within 20 days, the danger of losing the election symbol was imminent.

“At that time, I proposed to them that we should hold transparent intra-party elections together so that we can avert the crisis. If you do not conduct transparent elections, you may lose the symbol.”

He expressed that all political parties should have an equal opportunity in elections, and there is no doubt in that. However, violent, divisive, and character-assassinating practices should be avided in politics. “Such politics will not be accepted, and it will drown Pakistan. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was not founded for such politics,” he said.

He said that they were about to conduct fresh intra-party elections, but if they did, it would have been a big mistake because it would have been a completely illegal act.

He said it is up to Imran Khan to accept his proposal. If he accepts, then it is the lawyers’ job to form a term of reference and a framework, and present it in front of the public even if it takes three to six months.