Former president and senior leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Dr. Arif Alvi, stated on Tuesday that his party is willing to engage in dialogue with those who hold real decision-making power.
This response came amid questions regarding the perception that incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan opposed dialogue with political opponents to stabilize the country. Despite repeated calls from the current government urging the PTI to engage in talks to resolve the political crisis, the former ruling party has yet to provide a clear response.
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During a press conference in Lahore, Dr. Alvi expressed his disillusionment with the state of accountability in Pakistan, claiming it to be impossible. He commended the Islamabad High Court’s decision in the diplomatic cable case, asserting that the case was baseless. Dr. Alvi emphasized that it is the prime minister’s prerogative to decide whether to inform the nation about a cipher.
He criticized the elite class for opposing accountability and investigations into sensitive matters, lamenting that accountability has never been a priority in Pakistan, from the era of former military ruler Ayub Khan to the present day. Dr. Alvi stated that the lack of justice has become a certainty in the country.
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Referring to the PTI-led government’s ouster in April 2022, Dr. Alvi remarked that the regime change had caused significant damage to Pakistan, impacting the national economy by creating uncertainty and prompting local businesses to invest abroad.