Aitzaz Ahsan advises Imran Khan to meet President Asif Ali Zardari

LAHORE: Senior lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan on Monday advised founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan to meet with President Asif Ali Zardari.

Talking to media men outside the Lahore High Court, Ahsan said meeting with Asif Ali Zardari would open many doors for Khan. "Such a meeting could open many doors for the PTI founder."

Aitzaz Ahsan stated, "I do not see the PTI founder being released from jail anytime soon. He has created obstacles for himself. A person should be mild-mannered and open to dialogue, not avoid talking to certain individuals. This attitude is harming him. Engage with everyone, but you don’t have to accept everyone's opinions. The PTI founder has adopted a very rigid policy."

The senior lawyer further remarked, "These judges are not affiliated with PTI; they are either independent or aligned with the government. The issue with the PTI founder is that he refuses to meet with 'thieves.' He remains steadfast and unyielding."

IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb announced the short verdict on the pleas challenging the conviction in the cipher case after reserving it earlier today.

The PTI founder and party's vice-chairman were sentenced to 10 years each in prison in the cipher case in January this year.

The case pertains to allegations that the former prime minister had made public contents of a secret cable sent by the country's ambassador in Washington to the government in Islamabad.