LAHORE: A surprise visit by three former Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leaders to the hospitalised party vice chairman, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, ended without success on Thursday, as Qureshi reportedly rebuffed their efforts to secure his backing for a campaign seeking Imran Khan’s release.
According to Qureshi’s lawyer, Rana Mudassar Umer, ex-PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhry, Imran Ismail, and Maulvi Mahmood managed to enter the hospital room unannounced while Qureshi was alone. “He was surprised to see them and immediately asked police to call his lawyer, but by the time I returned, they had already left,” the lawyer said, adding that the meeting lasted barely ten minutes and involved no political discussion.
The visit, which sources described as part of an outreach effort to rally support for the “Release Imran Khan” campaign, came despite reports that one of the visitors had earlier been denied access. The initiative is reportedly led by several former PTI figures seeking to reduce political tensions and initiate dialogue with the government.
However, Asad Umar distanced himself from the effort, denying claims that he was part of the group. “I am not involved in this campaign,” he said, adding that he had cautioned the trio against meeting Qureshi in hospital, as it could create unnecessary friction within the party.
Meanwhile, Fawad Chaudhry said in a video message that the group was attempting to lower political temperatures and create conditions for dialogue, aiming to secure the release of Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, and other detained political figures. “The PTI must take one step back and the government one step forward,” he said, adding that his group also plans to meet leaders from the PML-N and JUI-F.
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Qureshi’s lawyer dismissed Fawad’s claims as “deceptive”, noting that he did not visit any jailed PTI leaders in Kot Lakhpat Jail, where trials continued through Thursday and Friday. He reaffirmed that Qureshi, along with senior PTI figures Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry, Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed, and Omer Sarfraz Cheema, remained firm in their loyalty to Imran Khan, who has vowed not to enter any deal with the government or establishment.
آج اخباروں اور سوشل میڈیا کے ذریعے نظر آیا کہ میں کسی عمران خان رہائی تحریک کا حصہ ہوں، جو تحریک انصاف کے ماضی کے رہنما شروع کر رہے ہیں ۔ کوئی بھی کاوش جو عمران خان اور دوسرے اسیروں کی رہائی کے لئے ہو، اچھی بات ہے۔ لیکن میں جس تحریک کا زکر ہو رہا ہے، اس کا حصہ نہیں ہوں۔
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) November 1, 2025
Qureshi, who is expected to undergo surgery for gallbladder stones next week, remains under medical observation after weeks of delayed hospitalisation orders. His lawyer also alleged that other detained leaders, including Dr Rashid, were being denied adequate medical care and therapy.
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