Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, has stated that he is amenable to discussions—but only within the parameters set down by the Constitution.
Speaking to media in the Adiala jail, where he has been detained for almost a year, the PTI founder declared, “I will hold discussions while staying within the Constitution.”
The comments from the former prime minister are significant since he has shown a desire to engage in talks with the military and has even asked them to choose a representative for these talks.
We’re prepared to have discussions with the armed forces. Khan had stated as much earlier this week during a case hearing in the Adiala prison. “The army should nominate their representative [for negotiations].”
The government has responded aggressively to the PTI founder’s action, accusing Khan of attempting to “politicize” the military and extending an invitation to the party to attend talks.
The party may also be subject to a ban, which Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal said would take effect as soon as the relevant authorities make a decision.
“Maybe a way forward can emerge for the PTI if they review their behavior and seek apology from the [state] institutions and the masses,” the minister said, adding that the imprisoned premier was encouraging the military to get involved in politics while also claiming to be an advocate for civilian supremacy.
Regarding the future of talks, Khan restated the party’s long-standing demand that their purportedly stolen mandate be given back.
He claimed that if the results of the elections in even four seats are made public and investigated, the current administration will crumble. “How can we negotiate with them?”
In response to a query alleging that Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the leader of Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) and chairman of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), has declined to speak with the army, the PTI founder made it clear that he has, in fact, asked the seasoned politician to engage in talks with political parties.
“Achakzai will only [hold] discussion with political parties,” he stated.
The PTI founder criticized the PML-N for pulling back on its “vote ko izzat do” narrative for restoring the integrity of the people’s vote when he was questioned whether he was doing a U-turn on his earlier statement when he accepted Achakzai’s name for discussions with the military.
The individual who sought respect for the vote but gave respect to the “boot” instead is the one who made the largest U-turn.
