Another letter by Imran Khan was published in a UK-based media outlet. It speaks about the concerns of PTI’s founding chairman Imran Khan. The letter has generated several questions: Is Mr. Khan compelling the military establishment for talks? Does it not look like somebody from within or outside Pakistan is facilitating Khan to compel Pakistan’s military for negotiations with Imran Khan at his desired terms and conditions? Is it not a damage to the national interest? Is Mr. Khan convinced of some unhappy ending to his fate? Will such efforts serve PTI’s purpose or more such letters will appear even in the USA if Donald Trump wins?
The letter alleges that an engineered vote of no confidence was moved against Imran Khan and the military establishment facilitated another government in his place.
Pakistan’s general elections on Feb 8, 2024, marked an utter failure of the military designs. The people overwhelmingly voted for PTI despite being independents. This was a democratic revenge against the agenda of the military establishment and a national boldness that rejected the state’s narrative on the May 9 incidents. It states that instead of accepting the people’s mandate, the military establishment went into a rage and wrought the electoral results.
It speaks about alleged rigging in the recent by-elections and declares criticism against the military as historic. “The military leadership has been subjected to overt criticism at a level unseen before in our history.” This letter regards the sitting government as a “laughing stock” and alleges the state’s response to PTI as oppression and violence not just on party workers but also on journalists and human rights defenders.
“Social media restrictions have been put in place with a complete ban on the X platform. Perhaps the most ominous development has been the systematic attempt to destroy the independent functioning of the judiciary at all levels. Judges have been subjected to all manner of pressures including blackmail and harassment.” It adds, “The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP and the chief of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) are found short of delivering unbiased justice. Six brave judges of the IHC have addressed a letter to the CJP disclosing instances of harassment and blackmail including of their families by the intelligence agencies.”
It alleged that the CJP, who eventually felt compelled to act on the judges’ letter but instead of calling for a full bench hearing of the SC and summoning those named by the six judges, he has sought to put the six judges effectively in the dock. It states that Pakistan’s economy was in crisis, and people were politically angry at having their electoral mandate stolen and being economically weakened while the state stood isolated. It said that by continuing oppression and violence against critics, the State is walking on the same track it stepped in 1971 when Bangladesh came into existence. This letter also questioned the growing terrorism in Baluchistan and highlighted how the matter of enforced disappearances was growing. It speaks about escalations on the India-Pakistan border and the vulnerability of the Afghan border with Pakistan. It says “The military establishment’s expectation of unquestioning support from the US, in return for the provision of access to airspace and related facilities to the US for military purposes, has been punctured after the publication of the latest US State Department’s report on Human Rights violations in Pakistan. Again, seeking salvation by relying on support from the IMF when there is a confrontation with the people will not result in any stability for Pakistan.
lastly, “There is no other way out of the crisis but to restore the people’s mandate and release all political prisoners including those being held for trial under military courts. The constitutional functioning of state institutions must be restored. The military establishment has done all it could against me. All that is left for them is to murder me. I stated publicly that if anything happens to me or my wife, General Asim Munir will be responsible. I am not afraid because my faith is strong. I prefer death over slavery.”
Importantly earlier an article by Mr. Khan was also published in a London-based magazine – The Economist – in January 2024. In this article, Imran Khan raised concerns about the legitimacy of the caretaker governments alleging it to be illegal as it failed to hold elections within 90 days of parliamentary assemblies. He expressed disbelief about the promised national elections on February 8, 2024 in Pakistan. He also alleged interference from the military establishment in orchestrating his removal from office.
The recent letter shows Imran Khan looks convinced that the military establishment will not be ready to negotiate with him as Khan many times earlier said that he was asking for talks for several months but the military command is not responding positively. It is said that Khan believes that the government in his view stands nowhere to talk with therefore he is asking for talks with the Army command.
Imran Khan time and again has been alleging the military generals including for what is happening to him and her wife Bushra Bibi. The letter narrated the story that Mr. Khan has been voicing since he was ousted from power through a confidence motion.
Now when he is not ready to talk with the government and even to any political party supporting the government and the military establishment is keeping completely mum over what Khan desires then the only way left for Khan was to approach the global media, particularly of his choice.
Some analysts believe that Khan may be able to exert some pressure, but it might not largely work till General Asim Munir is heading the Pakistan Army.
(Senior journalist Rana Kashif has authored this piece)
