As Pakistan's political turmoil deepens, senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi has made a significant statement from behind bars, signalling a shift in the party's strategy.

Speaking informally with journalists at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail, Qureshi revealed that the PTI is now following a dual strategy of negotiation and resistance.

Qureshi, who remains incarcerated, said the party has always favored dialogue—but only with those who truly hold power. “This is what we always wanted. Talks should be held with the real power centres,” he stated. He emphasized that any final decision regarding negotiations would be made by PTI’s founding chairman, Imran Khan.

The PTI vice chairman made it clear that while the doors to reconciliation remain open, they won’t stay that way forever. “We want to talk. But if there is no response, then peaceful protest is our only option,” Qureshi added, highlighting the party’s readiness to switch gears if necessary.

The call for dialogue comes at a time when five senior PTI leaders—including Qureshi himself—have written an open letter from jail, urging immediate political negotiations to address the country's escalating crisis. The signatories, including Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed, Ejaz Chaudhry, and Omar Sarfaraz Cheema, insisted that dialogue is the only way out of Pakistan’s political deadlock.

The letter also called for direct involvement of imprisoned leaders in any future negotiation process, underlining that decisions must be made in consultation with Imran Khan.

Qureshi has requested PTI Chairman Barrister Ali Gohar and Secretary General Salman Akram Raja to visit party members in jail to discuss the legal and political roadmap, signaling that the internal groundwork for engagement is already underway.