Achakzai, Allama Nasir doing nothing to secure Imran's release: Saif

• Saif questions Achakzai’s reluctance to hold talks.
• Says Raja Nasir in contact with establishment.
• Slams Achakzai for going to Quetta during talks.

PTI leader Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif has levelled a series of allegations against opposition leaders Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, questioning their efforts towards securing party founder Imran Khan’s release.

Speaking on Geo News programme “Jirga”, Saif said Senate Opposition Leader Raja Nasir was in contact with key figures in the establishment, but maintained that those contacts were not aimed at securing Imran’s release.

He also took aim at National Assembly Opposition Leader Achakzai, saying the veteran politician was unwilling to sit with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for negotiations on Imran’s behalf.

Saif said Achakzai had obtained a seat he had lost with the help of PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, yet was not prepared to engage with PM Shehbaz for talks concerning the incarcerated PTI founder.

He further said Achakzai had gone to Quetta at a crucial stage of the negotiation process.

According to Saif, Imran had made Achakzai opposition leader so that he could engage with the government, but he was doing nothing for the PTI founder.

Saif also said Achakzai had contacted Nawaz and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to secure his son’s release.

Turning again to Raja Nasir, the PTI leader said his thinking was “limited to the deputy commissioner, tehsildar and patwari”, adding that former KP chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur had helped him become a senator.