• Leaked audio clip of Yasmin Rashid, President Alvi hits social media
• Yasmin Rashid can be heard telling President Alvi to intervene
• She told him to ask Imran Khan to voluntarily surrender

LAHORE: An audio clip has surfaced purportedly of PTI leader Dr Yasmin Rashid having a telephonic conversation with President Dr Arif Alvi asking him to intervene to quell the situation outside PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s residence in Zaman Park.

There were violent clashes between police and PTI supporters as police failed to attempt the former prime minister for skipping a court appearance.

A leaked audio conversation features PTI leader Dr Yasmin Rashid discussing the matter with President Dr Arif Alvi and asking him to intervene before the situation goes out of hand.

The clip started with a voice allegedly of Yasmin Rashid updating President Alvi on the hostile situation, saying party workers have started throwing petrol bombs to resist law enforcers.

She then urges President Alvi to control these matters to avoid bloodbath. “You should talk to someone before there is bloodshed. You should intervene in this matter,” she said.

“I have talked,” Dr Alvi responded. Dr Yasmin then told Alvi to assure the authorities about negotiating with Imran Khan.

Yasmin Rashid said the situation amid the violent standoff would worsen so that the elections can be postponed.

She urged President to tell Imran Khan to ‘give in’ and resist some other day. “I think you should tell Khan Sahab to surrender himself,” Yasmin Rashid can be heard saying.

She said petrol bombs are being fired and the water cannon are being used.  She disapproved the strategy of resisting and said she opted to step aside.

Before the clip ended, she told President Alvi to speak with Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Asad Umar to convince Imran Khan not to challenge the state.

President offers mediation 

Amid high political uncertainty, President Arif Alvi made a renewed offer to mediate among warring political forces.

During a meeting with the Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors delegation, the president urged the PTI to initiate talks with other parties.

“I have been playing a role to reduce differences and promote reconciliation among the political parties. I am willing to meet any person or political party for the sake of the country,” he said.

Later in a tweet on Tuesday, the president expressed concerns over unrest as the police attempted to arrest Imran Khan, leading to countrywide violent protests by party workers.

“I am deeply saddened by today’s events. Unhealthy revenge politics. Poor priorities of [the] government of a country that should focus on economic misery of the people. Are we destroying [the] political landscape,” he said in the tweet.

The president said he is concerned about the safety and dignity of Imran Khan like all politicians. President Alvi had in the past tried to mediate between the ruling PDM coalition and the PTI but efforts remained futile.

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