Khan had previously given the government an ultimatum to sit with him and discuss early elections or else he would dissolve the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies. But with Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi, and even PTI's own MPA's showing hesitance at the idea of dissolution, it seems as though Khan has had to reconsider his options.
A report by Deutsche-Welle (DW) explored who or what finally brought Imran Khan to the negotiating table. It quoted Naya Daur Editor-in-Chief Raza Rumi as saying that Khan had played all his cards too soon, and had no other options left now. "He started his campaign with the long march, which should have been his final card," he said. "Now if he doesn't go towards negotiations, he could be left out of consultations for the next election."
Journalist Sajid Mir told the publication that in light of all the Toshakhana scandals surrounding Khan presently, his image has been damaged badly. "In such a situation, his stubborn attitude of 'I won't listen to anyone' will only increase his problems," he said.
In response to a question about whether Imran Khan moved towards negotiations on someone else's behest, Mir said that the establishment has repeatedly publicly said they are no longer involving themselves in politics, and won't come to anyone's aid. "If you consider this a signal, it could be one," he said.