ISLAMABAD: A delegation of Pakistani-American doctors and businessmen has returned to Lahore after spending four days in Islamabad without managing to meet Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, reliable sources confirmed on Friday.
The group, which arrived in Pakistan last week, had aimed to meet the jailed former prime minister at Adiala Jail and engage in quiet diplomacy to explore possible relief options for Khan amidst his ongoing legal and political challenges. Despite their efforts, no meeting took place.
Initially scheduled to fly back to the United States on Saturday (today), the delegation is now expected to extend its stay in a last-ditch effort to arrange the desired meetings.
Sources say Imran Khan is aware of the group’s presence in Pakistan, but no formal confirmation of a meeting has been received. The group continues its attempts to meet Khan but has so far seen no progress.
This is not their first such effort. During a previous visit a few months ago, the same group held successful behind-the-scenes meetings with both Khan and a top official in Islamabad. However, this time around, their outreach has yielded no results.
The delegation is reportedly in contact with some PTI leaders, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Khan’s sister Aleema Khan.
Efforts to facilitate a reconciliation between Imran Khan and the establishment appear to be faltering, largely due to the prevailing political tension and PTI’s confrontational approach. The military leadership, which maintains it will not directly engage with political parties, remains unmoved by PTI’s stance.