Senior PTI Leader Shiraz Afzal Marwat Warns of Potential 14-Year Jail Sentence for Imran Khan, Criticizes N-League’s Reluctance to Engage in Talks

Islambad:Senior leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Shiraz Afzal Marwat, has expressed concerns over the ongoing political situation, particularly regarding potential legal challenges facing former Prime Minister Imran Khan. He raised fears that on December 23, Khan might be sentenced to 14 years in prison in the 190 million-pound case. Marwat also suggested that certain elements within the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) might be deliberately hindering the ongoing negotiations process.

In an exclusive conversation with a private TV channel, Marwat stated, *”We are waiting for PML-N to announce their committee for talks. If the committee is formed on Friday, the Speaker should call the first meeting on Saturday.”* He emphasized that the committee formed by PTI was specifically tasked with initiating negotiations, and it was based on the same committee’s recommendation that the civil disobedience movement had been postponed.

Marwat also condemned the remarks made by PML-N leader Hanif Abbasi, saying, *”The language used by Hanif Abbasi today was inappropriate and should not have been used.”*

Further addressing the party’s position on negotiations, Marwat asserted that PTI would not allow any limitations on their demands. *”If our rights are being violated, it is impossible for us not to raise our concerns,”* he added. He stressed that the talks should reach a logical conclusion, and the most important step was for both parties to engage in sincere dialogue.

On the issue of U.S. sanctions on Pakistan’s missile program, Marwat strongly condemned the restrictions and clarified that PTI had no association with controversial remarks made by Sajjad Barki, who is not an official member of the party. *”We do not support the views of individuals who are not holding official positions within PTI,”* he explained.

Marwat also took a firm stance against certain individuals within the party who, from abroad, believed that any harm to Pakistan could potentially benefit PTI. *”This is a misguided and wrong approach,”* he said. *”We are united for the integrity, survival, and development of Pakistan.”*

The PTI leader’s comments reflect the party’s commitment to resolving the political crisis through negotiations while expressing frustration with perceived obstacles in the process.