They flew in from America, rushed to Aabpara, traipsed across to Adiala then jetted back to America. And the net result?

It is in fact this debate about the net result that has triggered a controversy. The delegation of well-established pro-Imran Khan Pakistani Americans came to town recently in an attempt to get relief for their incarcerated leader.

According to credible reports, they met high ranking officials in the ISI headquarters and presented their case for why Khan should be released. They were then also facilitated to meet Khan at Adiala. Details remain sketchy, but there is nothing sketchy about what transpired later.

Many PTI overseas supporters heaped scorn on the delegation for taking this unilateral step without a clear mandate from the leadership. Others accused them of bending the knee to the establishment without any quid pro quo. Still others complained such an engagement signalled weakness when the party really needed to show strength in the face of adversity.

But the bigger question – beyond these internal PTI conflicts and contradictions – is this: is the establishment ready to speak with Imran Khan, and is he finally willing to play ball?

Enter Azam Swati. Smarting from criticism by party people that he does the establishment’s........

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