ISLAMABAD – The PTI has said that over the past few weeks, Pakistan has emerged as a responsible actor on the global stage by facilitating dialogue between Iran and the United States aimed at achieving a negotiated settlement to the Middle East crisis. The party has welcomed Islamabad’s constructive diplomatic role in promoting regional peace and stability, saying it reflects PTI founder Imran Khan’s long-held philosophy of prioritising peace over conflict and resolving disputes through dialogue rather than the use of force or war.
In a statement issued by the PTI central media department on Friday, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said the Islamabad talks had earned Pakistan a positive image and urged the government to seize the opportunity to ensure a complete ceasefire and durable peace in the region.
Condemnation of Israeli Actions
Mr Akram also strongly condemned what he termed the “naked aggression” of the Zionist regime against Lebanon, saying such actions risk derailing fragile diplomatic efforts and amount to grave violations of international law. He emphasised that Pakistan must not ignore Lebanon in the peace efforts and should convince the US to rein in the rogue state for committing war crimes. He said Israel was hell-bent on sabotaging the peace process by targeting Lebanon despite a two-week ceasefire.
Domestic Conduct Must Align with International Posture
“We appreciate Pakistan’s positive diplomatic role, but true credibility begins at home,” he said, urging the government to uphold human rights, ensure the rule of law, and align domestic conduct with its international posture.
Concerns Over Imran Khan’s Detention
He said the party founder and his wife were being kept in solitary confinement, with restricted access to books, TV, family members, and legal counsel. He said that denying a former prime minister basic visitation rights and medical care of his choice reflected a disturbing pattern of political victimisation.
He noted that Imran Khan had immediately postponed the planned public gathering at Liaquat Bagh to ensure that no political activity would distract from Islamabad’s sensitive diplomatic engagement aimed at defusing Middle East tensions. “This decision demonstrated statesmanship and national responsibility,” he said, adding that the government, in contrast, continued to commit constitutional, legal, and fundamental rights violations, even as Imran Khan suffered severe vision loss in one eye and required urgent medical attention.
The PTI leader reiterated the demand for shifting Khan to Shifa International Hospital. He said the ex-premier must be permitted to receive treatment under the supervision of his personal physicians.
Analysis: A Balancing Act
The PTI’s statement walks a fine line between acknowledging Pakistan’s diplomatic achievement and raising concerns about domestic governance. By welcoming the Islamabad talks and praising Pakistan’s role as a mediator, the party aligns itself with the national consensus on foreign policy.
At the same time, the PTI uses the opportunity to highlight Imran Khan’s detention conditions and medical needs, drawing a contrast between the government’s international posture and its domestic conduct. The mention that Khan postponed a public gathering to avoid distracting from the diplomatic effort is framed as statesmanship, implicitly criticising the government’s continued detention of the former prime minister.
The PTI’s condemnation of Israeli strikes on Lebanon and its call for Pakistan to convince the US to rein in Israel reflects the party’s traditional pro-Palestinian stance and its view that Pakistan should play a more assertive role in Middle East diplomacy.
As the Islamabad talks continue, the PTI’s support for the government’s diplomatic efforts — coupled with its criticism of domestic human rights record — reflects the complex political landscape in which Pakistan’s foreign policy successes are achieved.
