Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Salman Akram Raja has distanced himself from any claims of a deal with the establishment, asserting that Azam Khan Swati’s remarks regarding negotiations were made without any formal discussions within the party.
Speaking to journalists outside the special anti-terrorism court in Lahore, Salman Akram Raja clarified that he was unaware of any deal between PTI and the establishment.
“Azam Swati is speaking on his own about this matter,” Raja stated, adding that he could not comment further until he had a conversation with PTI founder Imran Khan.
The senior PTI leader emphasised that once he meets Imran, clarity would be provided on whether any negotiations were initiated, and whether the PTI founder had asked for talks.
Raja also suggested that the ambiguity surrounding the issue was likely being maintained intentionally, as he has not been allowed to meet Imran Khan.
He further asserted that it would only be after a direct discussion with Imran that the party's position would be revealed.
These remarks come in the wake of Azam Swati’s recent video message, where he expressed hope for a potential dialogue with the establishment.
Swati, who had claimed that Imran Khan was still willing to engage in talks, suggested that if the establishment was open to discussions, the PTI founder would bless the initiative.
Swati had also claimed that his contacts with the establishment were made with the permission of Imran Khan, a point that raised eyebrows within the party.
In his detailed video message, released after a recent meeting with Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, Azam Swati criticised several vloggers and anchors for spreading false information, though he refrained from naming specific individuals.
Additionally, he expressed his continued support for PTI leaders, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Provincial Leader Junaid Akbar, and General Secretary Salman Akram Raja, who he confirmed were appointed by Imran Khan himself.
Azam Swati to meet 'special person' on Wednesday
Earlier this week, during an appearance on SAMAA TV's Nadeem Malik Live, Azam Swati revealed that he had received the PTI founder’s blessing to begin talks with the establishment. “I am 100 percent hopeful that this dialogue will succeed,” Swati said, further expressing optimism that “friendly countries” might also play a role in facilitating these political discussions.
Swati stated that the upcoming meetings would be preliminary, with the first engagement expected to take place either on Wednesday or shortly thereafter. He assured that once these talks were underway, he would be in a better position to inform party leaders and the public about the future course of action.
He also highlighted that he had been in close contact with the Pakistani diaspora in the United States and had kept senior party members, including former President Dr. Arif Alvi, informed of his moves.
