EDITORIAL:

PTI’s bold move: skipping Palestine talks to focus on… themselves

Imran Khan’s PTI skipping the APC on Palestine while he's in jail? Sure, because nothing screams “leadership” like ghosting a major diplomatic issue. Maybe he’s too busy plotting his next chess move with Israel, as some suggest. Clearly, supporting Palestine only matters when he’s the star of the show.

WHILE THE WORLD’S EYES are on Palestine, Pakistan convened an All Parties Conference (APC) yesterday to unify its stance on the conflict. But guess who decided to sit this one out? None other than the party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, currently in jail. While incarceration might be a legitimate reason to miss your nephew’s wedding, it doesn’t excuse non-involvement in a matter of such national and global importance. Political leadership doesn’t stop at prison walls, and yet, Khan’s complete silence on the APC speaks volumes about his priorities—or lack thereof.

Convenient for some, not for others

Khan has long claimed to champion the Palestinian cause, often invoking it during his tenure. Speeches about the injustices faced by Palestinians were once central to his rhetoric. So, why the radio silence now? Whether from jail or via his party, one would expect him to at least try to be part of this conversation. His absence, even if he couldn’t attend physically, represents more than logistical difficulties—it signals an apparent unwillingness to engage with national dialogue on Palestine unless he’s front and centre.

Missed opportunities

Leadership, as they say, is about showing up—especially in moments of crisis. The PTI could’ve easily used this APC as an opportunity to remind the nation that even while Khan is incarcerated, he continues to be a key player on important national issues. But instead, we get a complete no-show from his party. The silence from the PTI is deafening. Even in his absence, many expected his team to deliver a statement or assert a stance. After all, if he can tweet from jail about domestic political issues, he surely could have had something to say about Palestine.

But perhaps the real reason behind this withdrawal is strategic: Khan may be calculating that remaining silent gives him political leverage elsewhere. And this isn’t just speculation—recent reports from Israeli publications suggest some see Khan as a potential figure who could one day soften Pakistan’s stance on Israel.

Yes, the same Khan who has built a political brand around opposing Israeli policies.

Khan, the unlikely Israel ally?

It’s more than ironic—it’s almost laughable. While his nation debates Palestine’s future, Israeli commentators speculate on Khan’s role in potentially reshaping Pakistani-Israeli relations. According to these reports, Khan’s Western connections (including the Goldsmith family) suggest that if anyone in Pakistan were to pave the way for dialogue with Israel, it could be him. This idea, floated by Israeli outlets, portrays Khan as an opportunist who might be open to normalising relations with Israel—a move that would likely shock his base back home.

This growing suspicion only amplifies the questions surrounding his absence. Could Khan be deliberately sitting out the APC to maintain flexibility on his potential future dealings with Israel? His silence doesn’t just seem like an oversight; it looks like a calculated political move to stay ambiguous on both sides of the debate.

Political unity? Not in this life

The APC on Palestine was intended to project a unified Pakistani stance on an issue that transcends domestic politics. Instead, it has exposed the deep divisions in the country’s political fabric. Khan’s absence—or rather, his refusal to engage—illustrates the pettiness that has come to define Pakistan’s political discourse. Instead of using this opportunity to show national solidarity, he chose to sit on the sidelines, letting political rivalries dictate his priorities. If anything, his refusal to engage undermines Pakistan’s long-standing commitment to the Palestinian cause.

Where was the voice of reason?

Khan’s supporters may argue that his imprisonment gives him a pass. But true leadership transcends physical presence. Incarcerated leaders across the globe have found ways to contribute to critical national discussions, especially on foreign policy. Even in jail, statements can be made, voices can be heard, and messages can be sent. That Khan’s party didn’t step up to fill the void at the APC only adds to the sense that his absence was deliberate—and damning.

A political play or genuine indifference?

Imran Khan’s decision to skip the APC on Palestine sends a clear message: political gamesmanship takes precedence over everything else, even matters as critical as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The former Prime Minister may be in jail, but his voice—whether through his party or statements—was conspicuously absent. Instead, we’re left with a void where leadership should be, and speculation that his silence isn’t just incidental but calculated.

For a leader who once made Palestine central to his foreign policy rhetoric, his withdrawal from this discussion—at a time when his input could’ve mattered—raises serious questions about his commitment to the cause. His silence, coupled with murmurs of potential future ties to Israel, suggests that for Khan, Palestine might just be another pawn in his larger political chess game. And that’s a reality Pakistan can’t afford.

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