Imran Khan's 'all is well' statement caused damage to PTI negotiation committee: Marwat

“I believe it [Khan’s statement] rendered negotiating committee worthless,” says PTI leader

PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat is seen seated in his office in this still taken from a video. — X/@sherafzalmarwat

Marwat says measures being taken to restart negotiations.
“Khan’s statement rendered negotiating committee worthless.”
Khan had expressed his annoyance at his party leadership.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Marwat on Monday said that jailed founder Imran Khan’s “all is well” statement caused “some damage” to party’s efforts to hold negotiations with the government.

“The circumstances in which Khan has given the statement after the negotiation committee was formed has caused some damage. I believe it rendered negotiating committee worthless. This is my personal opinion,” said Marwat.

The PTI leader made these comments while speaking on Geo News programme “Aaj Shazeb Khanzada Kay Sath” days after the jailed PTI founder formed a committee to negotiate with the federal government.

However, Khan on Thursday expressed his annoyance at his party leadership for not devising a strategy to protest at D Chowk and raised questions about the environment outside the prison.

“When I saw the news in the newspapers, I got the impression that there was a friendly atmosphere outside the prison and everyone was living happily,” said Khan.

The PTI founder expressed surprise at the behaviour of his party’s leadership, saying, “I expected that the D-Chowk issue would be raised vigorously in parliament and other forums, but I am surprised that this did not happen.”

“I am amazed at the [PTI] leadership. If one case ends another begins. The party should have reacted strongly. The December 15 call has become a challenge for the PTI itself rather than the government,” he said.

Marwat said that the committee, after it was constituted, was not instructed by the PTI founder when to begin the negotiations. “Due to this, Khan made an assumption due to communication gap,” he added.

The outspoken leader said that the negotiations have not begun yet and the party was now making efforts to start the talks. “Efforts are being made to restart the [negotiations] that were strayed on November 22 and took a hit on November 26,” he said.

Speaking about the delay in talks, Marwat said that the negotiations should not have been stalled.