Reconciliation efforts between the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government and its dissident lawmakers in the provincial assembly have failed, as the disgruntled members have adopted a hardline stance and decided not to support the upcoming budget without prior consultation with PTI founder Imran Khan.

In a meeting held in Peshawar, the dissident lawmakers linked their movement to the campaign for Imran’s release. A statement issued by the group said the participants discussed the prevailing political situation and various other matters in detail during the meeting.

The statement strongly condemned the denial of a meeting between the founder and his family once again, calling it a violation of basic human rights, the law, and the Constitution. “We strongly condemn this move,” the statement read.

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The dissidents warned that unless a comprehensive and workable strategy is adopted for the former prime minister’s release, the federal government will neither allow him to meet his family, lawyers, or party leaders, nor will there be any clear progress on his medical treatment.

“Under these circumstances, all assembly members urge and demand party leaders to come forward and advance the movement for Imran Khan’s release under a comprehensive, organised, and viable strategy,” the statement said, adding that the current protest process appears disorganised and reflects a lack of seriousness.

The statement welcomed the position taken by Aleema Bibi and the K-P chief minister regarding the new fiscal year’s budget, terming it a positive step that represents the voice of every PTI worker.

“For this reason, today all assembly members clearly and unanimously supported the stance that the budget should not be presented in the assembly until the chief minister is allowed a meeting with leader Imran Khan,” the statement said. “We all stand firm on this position and are ready to go to any extent for it.”