Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui expected the government to reach a ‘deal’ with jailed former prime minister Imran Khan because of the latter’s ‘domicile’.

“I don’t believe in predictions, however, I know and value Imran Khan as he has a domicile and it won’t let him stay behind bars for long,” he said while appearing on Rubaroo which was aired on Aaj News on Thursday.

In the recent past, some of the PTI leaders have claimed that Khan would be released soon. They did not give any proof to substantiate their claims.

The PTI founder has also “refused” any deals and maintained that the release of this party’s “political prisoners” was his priority. In a Facebook post on his account, he also did not mention who offered the deal to the former prime minister.

“He [Khan] has the advantage of language and domicile,” the MQM-P leader said and added that the former PM was not able to release their workers while in power.

He added that dialogue was the only way to deal with political parties, but lamented that political parties were rejecting it.

When asked, Siddiqui claimed that Khan should get justice and be released if not committed any crime. The MQM-P leader added that as many as 200 cases were registered against him including one for clapping hands.

“If Khan is mastermind of May 9 then he should be punished. If not then everyone should sit and talk.”

In response to concerns over the military sentencing of suspects, he said that almost every leader made an appeal when former prime minister Zulfikar Bhutto was sentenced. Siddiqui alleged that those who make claims about the human rights situation also do “pick and choose”.

“We should not worry and anyone can see our justice system from any angle,” he said and added that the country has never taken pressure from such messages.

Siddiqui said that he was unaware of Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s claims about the ’operation Goldsmith.

He agreed with the PTI’s demand for a judicial commission over the May 9 and November incidents. He added that political influence should not be on the justice process.

Also, read this

PTI leader Omar Ayub sees jailed Imran Khan as Pakistan’s PM in 2025

Khan rejects govt’s demand for withdrawing civil disobedience call

Govt ‘forced’ to talk to PTI after international pressure, Indian media claims

At one point on the show, he said: “I am a fan of Imran Khan’s swinging yorker. I have never seen a fast bowler like him.” He made this reference to say that many people still like Khan as a “bowler” and advised that “a politician should have charisma, not glamour.”

He was of the view that talks should lead to an improved situation and warned that “Bhutto did not timely decide to have talks” as other powers made the decision to improve the situation.

“The PTI should be aware of political sensitivities,” the MQM-P leader stated and added that leaders from both negotiating committees would have to admit their mistakes and accept some demands.