Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has warned the establishment to reconsider its stance, saying that if political disputes are not resolved through dialogue, the party will be left with no choice but to take to the streets.

Emphasising the importance of negotiations, he said that the public mandate must be respected and that PTI does not wish for the situation to deteriorate further.

Speaking on Aaj News’s program Rubaroo with host Shaukat Paracha, Raja outlined PTI’s three-pronged strategy. “Our roadmap is clear and operates at three levels,” he stated. “The first is the political level, where we are engaging with other parties.”

He mentioned PTI’s alliance with JUI-F under the “Tehreek Tahafuz-e-Aain” (Movement for the Protection of the Constitution) led by Mehmood Khan Achakzai and supported by Allama Nasir Abbas and the Sunni Ittehad Council. He also revealed ongoing talks with the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) and other parties, including participation in Akhtar Mengal’s protest in Mastung.

Imran Khan’s family members stopped outside Adiala Jail

Highlighting the need for a broad national consensus, Raja said, “This is a historic moment. Those who uphold the Constitution and democracy in Pakistan must unite to dismantle the fraudulent system built on lies and rigged elections.” He added that a “significant alliance” would take shape in the coming days.

Raja also hinted at “positive developments” in recent meetings with opposition leaders in Islamabad, though he declined to share details. “An alliance will emerge and move forward under a structured framework,” he said.

On the legal front, Raja maintained that PTI would continue to fight its battles in the courts. “Imran Khan cannot be released without a judicial order, but we also know how judicial decisions are often influenced by the political climate. That’s why we are pushing for unity to change this atmosphere.”

He stressed that the third and most crucial stage of their strategy involved mobilising the public. “We hope it doesn’t come to that, but if the establishment doesn’t change course, the people will have no option but to rise,” he said, adding that unrest in provinces like Balochistan and among Sindhi farmers must be addressed through dialogue, not defiance.

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Discussing the timing of mass mobilisation, Raja said, “There is no schedule for such moments. They occur unexpectedly, sparked by an incident that turns into a wildfire. People rise not because a leader calls them, but when their conscience and hunger compel them to act.”

He dismissed the notion that public protests are leader-driven. “No one comes out just because someone tells them to. When the people feel they’ve been robbed of their vote, when schemes fail to benefit the poor — that’s when a leaderless flood of people emerges.”

On Imran Khan’s release and negotiations, Raja said, “His release is central to any dialogue. It would signal the restoration of constitutional order and the rule of law. Until that happens, he can be unlawfully held in jail.”

He reiterated his support for negotiations, saying they are the only way forward. “You can confront force — tanks, guns, and bullets — but it comes at a massive cost to the nation. We do not want that chaos. But if the establishment refuses to budge, that’s where the country is headed.”

Police block several leaders from visiting Imran Khan in Adiala Jail

Raja concluded by saying, “Before it’s too late, we must come to the table. Dialogue is not just necessary — it is urgent.”