Qureshi refuses to support Fawad Chaudhry’s committee

‘I can’t deviate from PTI’s policies’

LAHORE: PTI Vice-Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday refused to support former party leader Fawad Chaudhry’s National Dialogue Committee, saying he cannot “deviate from PTI’s policies”.

The senior PTI leader, incarcerated at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail since 2023 in cases related to the May 9 riots, made the remarks during an informal discussion with a journalist in a courtroom.

In response to a question on “consensual” meeting with Chaudhry, the PTI leader said, “While I was in the hospital, he visited to inquire about my health. We both remained in a political party. How could I ask a guest why he came to meet me?”

Last year in November, Fawad Chaudhry, Imran Ismail, and Maulvi Mahmood tried to gain access to Qureshi, who was hospitalised, when he was alone in his room, ostensibly to convince the senior PTI leader to join their ‘release Imran Khan campaign’ — a move rebuffed by him.

Speaking on the current political situation, he said a solution needed to be found as “the country could only move forward with dialogue”. “Resistance is followed by reconciliation,” he said.

In reference to the dialogue between the government and opposition, he said, “[PTI’s incarcerated leader] Imran Khan has authorised Mehmood Khan Achakzai to take a decision regarding dialogues. He can make a better decision regarding the future course of action, as we are in prison with limited information.”

While speaking on the prevailing relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, he said that Islamabad had supported Kabul, and this had been our “legitimate demand” that “their soil must not be used against us”.

If Afghan Taliban “want stability, they have to maintain good relations with Pakistan” as their “road to prosperity passes through Pakistan,” he said, adding Islamabad “desires peace and Afghanistan has to support us against terrorism”.

He also spoke about relations with Iran and India, saying the situation was under control at the Iran border. Despite winning the war with India, he said, “the danger is not over yet”. Last month, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) acquitted Qureshi in one of the cases related to the May 9 riots. Staff Report