LAHORE: PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi called on party chairman Imran Khan for a highly anticipated meeting at the latter’s Zaman Park residence, on Wednesday.

The meeting, which lasted about an hour, ended without an official statement being issued. Mr Qureshi, who had promised a press conference after the meeting, also left the venue without talking to reporters who had gathered outside the residence eagerly awaiting the details.

Social media accounts of the otherwise digital-savvy PTI and its chairman also kept mum as only a picture of the meeting was uploaded.

The meeting took place amid rumours that Mr Qureshi was likely to take over the party in case of Imran Khan’s disqualification and might negotiate the survival of the embattled party with the government and powerful quarters.

He went to Zaman Park to apprise the PTI chairman about the course that the party could take to avoid implosion.

According to one PTI leader the former prime minister faces a stark choice either “accept the political realities or become the fall guy”.

“These are the reflections that dawned on Mr Qureshi during his incarceration and that is precisely what he has conveyed to (Imran) Khan. The party faces further disintegration if Imran Khan persists with his confrontational politics … [PTI] needs some breathing space, which can only be available if Imran Khan is separated from the party and politics,” .

“Only then could the damage already done to the party be assessed and ways found to negotiate new terms,” he said.

“The possibilities of the PTI’s survival, albeit it is on the fringes of national politics for the time being, include Imran Khan abdicating to Shah Mehmood Qureshi,” another party leader said.

He added that this move would allow Mr Qureshi to negotiate the date of the election (probably in October or November), and open a channel of cooperation with the PDM on economic issues as well on caretaker set-ups ahead of elections. “But, all of these steps have a prerequisite i.e. exit of Imran Khan from politics and legal consequences of the May 9 violence.”

This was the reason Mr Qureshi did not talk to the media after the media nor did the party’s social media accounts divulge any details, the PTI leader said, adding that the situation was still “fluid”.

“The meeting did take place and choices were put on the table so he could weigh his options, especially after the stern warning from the army’s formation commanders meeting. The rest of the details might reveal themselves in the next few days,” the party leader added.