PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan has called for a political dialogue and move on after the events of May 9, saying that his party should be given an opportunity ahead of the general elections.

“I have requested President Arif Alvi that a political dialogue should be held in the President’s House where establishment should also be there and that we move forward after May 9 events and discuss fair elections,” he said in an interview with Asma Shirazi on her show Faisla Aap Ka that was aired on Aaj News on Tuesday.

Ali was also among several leaders who were arrested after the government launched a crackdown on the violent protesters who vandalized state buildings on May 9 when former prime minister Imran Khan was first arrested in a graft case.

He was freed from Mardan jail after nearly 80 days of incarceration on July 27, 2023. He was first arrested by the Secretariat police on May 11 under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order Order. Later he was re-arrested in a corruption case. He was granted bail in the case on July 26.

When asked, he said that the PTI and Imran Khan should get a chance to contest the general elections so that the people make a decision.

He mentioned that there were many people who were arrested despite having no involvement in the events of May 9.

“The political forces should play a role. A party which made government in KP, Punjab, Balochistan, Centre, GB, and AJK that has a mass appeal should get the political opportunity,” Ali said and shared that his party chairman has learned a lot in prison and realised who have stood with the party and who are loyalist.

He defended the former prime minister, saying that Khan has always supported the institution and never wanted the armed forces to be weakened.

The former state parliamentary affairs minister called for a judicial inquiry into the May 9 incidents to ascertain facts. He rebuffed the impression that the PTI chief was against the incumbent army chief’s appointment.

He was of the view that many innocent people could be behind bars and called for an impartial investigation into the protests.

When asked, he replied that only time would tell who was under pressure to leave the party. But he said that the apparent revelations made by Farrukh Habib raised several questions as why he was silent for so long despite knowing all such things.

Habib has accused the former prime minister of provoking supporters of PTI to adopt the path of violence.

More to follow…