RAWALPINDI: PTI Chairman Imran Khan has announced his readiness to negotiate with military and called on Army to appoint representative for talks. In an informal conversation with journalists in court, Khan expressed his desire for dialogue with military and clarified that he has never accused military but has offered constructive criticism.

He likened military to spoiled child in household, explaining that just as wayward child is critiqued, military was criticised as criticism is essence of democracy. When questioned by journalist about his recent statements suggesting desire to reconcile with military despite previously levelling accusations against it and its leadership, Khan emphasised that he has never made accusations, only criticisms.

He insisted that no one should teach them that military has never made mistakes. Khan remarked that General Ziaul Haq was behind execution of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and General Yahya Khan was responsible for fall of Dhaka.

He argued that if injustices occur, criticism of military should not be silenced. PTI had mandated Mahmood Khan Achakzai for talks with Army but no one was nominated from other side. “We have complete trust on Achakzai,” he said.  Imran Khan said first demand for negotiations was return of stolen mandate.

Second demand is release of arrested workers and quashing of cases. Third stage is saving country, which is not possible without clean and transparent elections, he made it clear.

Responding to question about Fazlur Rehman’s call for resigning from assemblies, he said: “He is talking about third stage”.  He threw his weight behind ongoing sit-in by Jamaat-e-Islami, saying he would direct party leaders to join protest immediately.  "Why should onus be on me to apologise? Apology should be directed towards me," he said during casual interaction with reporters at Adiala Jail.

He called Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz 'fascist'. Khan questioned current political environment, referencing Special Investment Facilitation Council and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. "What is SIFC? Who is Mohsin Naqvi? An undeclared martial law is enforced in country," he remarked.

He accused Naqvi of being an Army representative, stating, "Mohsin Naqvi is their representative, he reached here through them."He vehemently opposed any dialogue with Naqvi, accusing him and Inspector General of Punjab Police of oppressing PTI supporters.

PTI founder addressed judiciary, specifically requesting Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamir Farooq to withdraw from his cases to ensure fairness. "I request Aamir Farooq to withdraw from my cases according to principles of justice.

There are other judges in high court; transfer cases to someone else," he urged. Imran Khan reiterated PTI's innocence regarding May 9 incidents, insisting that CCTV footage would exonerate party.

Published in The Daily National Courier, July, 31 2024

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