Sheikh Rashid Shares Details of Meeting with Imran Khan at Adiala Jail

Islamabad:Former Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid briefed the media about his recent meeting with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan at Adiala Jail. Speaking to reporters outside the Supreme Court, Sheikh Rashid shared that his interaction with Imran Khan had been brief but emotionally charged.

He recalled, *”Yesterday, I had a short meeting with Imran Khan. He came and hugged me emotionally, saying that we are one, and whatever has happened, has happened.”* Sheikh Rashid mentioned that while the two exchanged a few words, most of the conversation involved Imran Khan giving instructions to Umar Ayub, his party colleague. *”The discussions they had were related to his party, and I cannot share them publicly,”* Rashid added.

Sheikh Rashid further clarified that during his imprisonment, he had endured no violence, despite being kept in a single room for 40 days. *”I did go through a period of isolation, but I was treated well, and food was provided on time,”* he said.

Responding to questions about possible negotiations between the government and PTI, Sheikh Rashid stated that he was not attempting to play any mediatory role. When asked about the current Shehbaz Sharif government, he remarked, *”This is not a real government; the face may be Shehbaz Sharif’s, but someone else is pulling the strings behind the scenes.”*

On the issue of overseas Pakistanis’ voting rights, Sheikh Rashid revealed that an constitutional bench had heard a case regarding the matter, which he had filed two to three years ago. *”I was unable to attend today’s hearing as my lawyer was absent, so the case was postponed,”* he explained. He added, *”Overseas Pakistanis are the backbone of Pakistan’s economy. It is they who will rescue the country from its economic crisis.”*

Sheikh Rashid also disclosed that his meeting with Imran Khan was part of a broader political discussion at Adiala Jail, which also included PTI leaders like Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Fawad Chaudhry, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Umar Ayub, and others involved in the GHQ attack case.

Sources revealed that during the meeting, Imran Khan discussed the country’s political situation with his former allies and entrusted Umar Ayub with the responsibility of shaping the political strategy going forward. Furthermore, Imran Khan has reportedly removed Barrister Gohar from the negotiation committee and appointed a five-member team, led by Umar Ayub, to engage in talks with the government. The committee includes prominent PTI members such as Salman Akram Raja, Ali Amin Gandapur, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and Asad Qaiser.