Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairperson Imran Khan rejected rumours that his abrupt departure for Lahore from the site of his party’s protest march was due to an important meeting, which many interpreted to be a sign that more backroom negotiations were talking place.

“My only demand for the last six months has been the [announcement of the] date for the immediate holding of fair and transparent elections. If negotiations will take place, it will be on this demand,” tweeted Imran to his more than 18 million followers on Twitter.

He said the reason for his return to Lahore was the city’s proximity to the location where the march had arrived. “We had already decided not to march at night.”