Imran Khan, the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, asserted that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government had approached the former ruling party for discussions days after a meeting between PML-N leader Ishaq Dar and President Arif Alvi.
In an interview with the media on Sunday at his Zaman Park home, the former prime minister made these comments while discussing his long march plan and other topics, such as the selection of the new army chief and Pakistan’s economic predicament.
Mr. Khan claimed that the PDM government communicated with him and the PTI through President Alvi, but the former prime minister’s long-standing demand that he wait until the announcement of new elections before sitting down with the government.
“I would be open to talks on all issues” after the announcement of the date for the general elections, he added. He said the government was afraid to go to the polls because it had lost its popularity among the masses. “I will defeat the corrupt rulers’ government with the support of people since they are motivated to get their rights and justice,” he vowed.
Rana Sana claims that “enemy” agencies are putting the PTI chief’s life in danger.
When reached, Azma Bukhari, the PML-N Punjab information secretary, refuted the PTI chairman’s assertion regarding the offer of talks.
She responded to the PTI leader’s comments by saying, “Imran Khan attempts to grip our collar in the day but keeps pleading for an honorable way out in the dark of the night.”
Another PML-N leader, on the condition of anonymity, said Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had called on President Alvi “only to check his reaction on the proposed summary being forwarded for the appointment of the new army chief”.
‘Surprise for all’
The long marchers will gather in Rawalpindi on November 26. Mr. Khan, who is recovering in Lahore after being hurt in a gun attack near Wazirabad earlier this month, said he was ready to provide a “surprise to everyone” on that day. In relation to the “surprise,” he continued, “the party’s plan to take the long march to Rawalpindi instead of Islamabad will also be revealed soon.” Mr. Khan proclaimed that he would be in Pindi (though if he wasn’t fully recovered) to welcome the marchers and lay out the march’s next plan of attack.
The PTI chairman claimed that he was aware of the PDM government’s preparations and that he had “counter-plans” to astound the latter and its purported enablers. The current administration, he continued, was “trapped between the devil and the deep blue sea.”
If the government called new elections, it would suffer “humiliating defeat,” and if it chose not to, it would plunge the nation “into insolvency.”
He reiterated his stance that early free and fair elections were the only solution to drive the country out of economic and political problems.
The former prime minister suggested that the senior-most general be chosen to serve as the next chief of army staff (COAS). The PTI chairman declared that he had no issue with the government’s decision to select the new COAS.
In their conversation, Imran Khan also brought up the Toshakhana scandal. He said, “Despite using all available state resources, the PDM government could not discover anything other than the Toshakhana gift watch. He predicted that the hype around the gift watch will soon be exposed in court.
To finalize plans for the next stage of the long march, the PTI chairman has convened a meeting of the party’s central leadership, which will take place in a day or two. Top party officials will advise the attendees of the conference on the caravan route and the progress of the long march to the garrison city.
Threats to Imran
The PTI leader affirmed that he would still arrive in Rawalpindi on November 26 and lead the long march to achieve “Haqeeqi Azadi” for the people of Pakistan who are essentially stuck at a dead end. Despite realizing that he was under threat of death and could be attacked again.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah remarked on a private news channel’s talk show that “Imran Khan is experiencing threats to his life from the enemy countries’ agents” because Mr. Khan had also told international media that he was still receiving life threats.
On the other hand, the PTI head, according to the interior minister, had made accusations against the government and security services for his attempted murder of him. He stated that “the anti-Pakistan forces can profit from the current circumstances.”
In the meantime, Imran Khan made it clear that the establishment had no part in overthrowing the government or the attempt on his life, according to PTI coalition partner Chief Minister Parvez Elahi.
The Punjab government spokesperson, Musarrat Jamshed Cheema, who was present in Mr Khan’s meeting with media persons, says the PTI would bring a maximum number of party workers to the long march in Rawalpindi. She said the PTI would do everything to get justice in the cases pertaining to the murder of journalist Arshad Sharif and the alleged custodial torture of Senator Azam
