Imran Khan Demands Talks with Military, Rejects Pakistan Government
Imprisoned former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has dismissed the possibility of negotiating with the current civilian government, insisting that dialogue should only occur with the military establishment.
Khan conveyed this stance in a post on X, stating that discussions with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government are futile as it lacks genuine power. He alleges the government is wasting time clinging to authority.
Khan, who has been detained since August 2023 amid various legal challenges following his government's collapse in April 2022, emphasizes that negotiations will only proceed with the military, whom he identifies as holding the actual power, and solely in the national interest. He maintains a firm resolve despite facing hardship.
Khan also claims that political cases, abductions, and forced press conferences are tactics used to dismantle his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), indicating a breakdown in the rule of law.
Further, Khan reiterated that the May 9, 2023 protests after his arrest were a staged event to suppress PTI. He challenges the absence of CCTV footage related to the incident.
Dismissing media reports of a potential deal with the military, Khan asserts that no one has approached him for negotiations. The Punjab government reports Khan's refusal to undergo polygraph tests related to terrorism cases linked to the May 9 riots. The trial in the GHQ attack case is adjourned until May 29. The hearing in the Toshakhana-II case is postponed to May 26. Khan’s party seeks expedited hearings in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
Protests continue outside the court, with party members demanding Khan’s release.