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Fawad Chaudhry Urges Imran Khan to Mend Ties with Army
Fawad Chaudhry advises jailed PTI founder Imran Khan to de-escalate tensions with the military and refocus on key issues. Calls for control of PTI's social media to shift from abroad to Pakistan.
ND
by News Desk
2024-12-18
Fawad Chaudhry Urges Imran Khan to Mend Ties with Army

Jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and chairman, Imran Khan, has been urged to reduce hostilities with the army and its leadership to regain political legitimacy. The advice was shared by senior PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry during a recent meeting with Imran Khan at Adiala Jail.

Speaking to The News, Fawad Chaudhry revealed that he advised Imran Khan to shift focus from targeting individuals within the military to addressing broader national issues. He emphasized the need for a conciliatory approach to enable PTI’s reentry into mainstream politics.

“I told Imran Khan that tensions with the military should be reduced so that PTI gets a legitimate space in politics,” said Fawad, expressing hope that the former prime minister would heed his suggestions.

 

Control Over Social Media

A significant portion of the discussion centered on Imran Khan’s X (formerly Twitter) account, which has been a source of tension between the party and the military establishment. Fawad suggested transferring control of the account and other PTI social media platforms from abroad to Pakistan to curb anti-military rhetoric.

The PTI’s social media presence, including Imran Khan’s X account, has been criticized for its frequent campaigns targeting the military and its leadership. While many senior PTI leaders share Fawad’s concerns, they have refrained from public dissent for fear of backlash and lack the influence to persuade Imran Khan to change his approach.

PTI Social Media Concerns

Recent reports have revealed that PTI’s official social media accounts, including Imran Khan’s X account, are operated from abroad, which has raised concerns about anti-military narratives being amplified without oversight from the party’s core leadership.

Fawad emphasized the importance of keeping PTI’s social media free from influences that might align with Pakistan’s adversaries. He reiterated that criticism of the military risks weakening Pakistan’s security framework, a sentiment he previously shared in a post on X earlier this month.

 

Call for Reforms and Reconciliation

Fawad also advocated for maintaining open scrutiny of the military’s role in politics while emphasizing the need for institutional reforms. “The army is an integral part of Pakistan’s security framework. The soldiers who risk their lives are our pride,” he said.

He highlighted Imran Khan’s own statements that “the country is ours, and the army is ours,” suggesting that reducing hostilities is essential to PTI’s political survival.

Looking Ahead

Fawad plans to meet Imran Khan again on December 19 to continue discussions on reshaping the party’s approach toward the military and regaining political stability.

As PTI grapples with internal and external challenges, the party’s ability to navigate these tensions will likely determine its role in Pakistan’s evolving political landscape.

 
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