Irfan Siddiqui denies US delegation meeting with PTI founder in jail
Pakistan
He said that Nawaz Sharif had opted against becoming prime minister ahead of the 2024 elections
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Senator Irfan Siddiqui, parliamentary leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the Senate and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, has denied reports of a meeting between a US delegation and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in Adiala Jail.
Speaking during an appearance on a private TV channel, Senator Siddiqui dismissed the claims as unfounded. “No such meeting took place to my knowledge. I categorically reject these rumors,” he asserted.
The senator clarified that under jail manual, Imran Khan receives a list of proposed visitors and retains sole authority to approve or reject meetings. “If he refuses to meet certain individuals from his own party, how is that the government’s responsibility? The process depends entirely on his consent,” Siddiqui explained.
The senior PML-N leader accused PTI of lacking “ideology, principles, or political ideals,” alleging its priorities revolve around securing meetings only. “PTI has devolved into chaos, with its members operating in disarray,” he said, dismissing the party’s association with the Mineral Bill as “nonsensical posturing.”
Siddiqui also revealed that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif had opted against becoming prime minister ahead of the 2024 elections, though he avoided speculation on Sharif’s future political moves. Praising Sharif as a “veteran statesman,” he emphasized the former premier’s role in addressing national challenges, including the Balochistan conflict.
Highlighting the importance of political dialogue, Siddiqui singled out Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) chief Akhtar Mengal as a “pragmatic politician” open to political engagements. However, he cautioned that “those who resort to violence and bloodshed cannot demand negotiations as a right.”
On the controversial six canals project, Senator Siddiqui questioned the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) over its prolonged silence between July 8, 2024 — when a presidential meeting on the issue was held and minutest were recorded — and March 14, 2025, when the Sindh Assembly passed a resolution opposing the construction.
He said that the matter would now be referred to the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and suggested President Asif Zardari’s opposition was aimed at countering Sindh’s nationalist factions.
