A PTI delegation led by Asad Qaiser called on JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Thursday to offer condolences on the demise of his in-law and party workers in the Bajaur blast.

“Since the purpose of our meeting was to recite Fatiha and condolence, no political discussion was on the agenda,” PTI’s Ali Muhammad Khan, who was part of the delegation, wrote on X.

But sources told Aaj News that political matters were also discussed during the meeting. Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif and Junaid Akbar were also part of the PTI’s team.

The development comes as political parties’ campaign for general elections which are due in January next year. In the recent past, many PTI leaders have left the party or quit politics after getting released from jail. They were arrested after the government launched a crackdown on the people who vandalised state properties and military installations on May 9 when former prime minister Imran Khan was arrested.

Khan, who was released from Mardan jail in July after 80 days of incarceration, in his couple of TV interviews has called for a grand dialogue to move forward after May 9 events and discuss fair elections.

Last week, he told Aaj News that his party should be given an opportunity ahead of the general elections.

After the meeting, Qaiser told reporters that they had met Fazl to offer condolences. “This is our tradition. There was no political purpose,” he said and admitted that discussion on the party’s political policy was under way.

“An announcement will be made on the directives of the PTI chairman,” he said.

Saif said that the development took place with the permission of the party’s core committee. He told reporters that they discussed the eviction of Afghan refugees. “No step should be taken in haste which will spoil relations,” he said and added that ice should be broken between all political parties and should make contacts.

The PTI leader added that they have no personal enmity with anyone and had met the JUI-F chief as per the traditions of the province. “Holding of elections was also discussed,” he said.

Meanwhile, Khan in an interview with a private news channel reiterated that they went to meet Fazl to offer condolences.

“Because there was no political discussion on the agenda, there was not much political talk, however, it was time for Maghrib prayer, so we prayed together,” he said.

The matter was also discussed on the Aaj News show Faisla Aap Ka where PML-N leader Attaullah Tarar said that he was willing to have a dialogue with the PTI, but sans its incarcerated party chief Imran Khan who he thinks allegedly sabotaged the country’s image while in power.

If Mian Sb [Nawaz Sharif] asks me, I say with minus-Imran approach talks should be held with everyone,“ he said in an interview with Asma Shirazi.