RAWALPINDI: Imran Khan, the imprisoned founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has recently indicated his willingness to engage in negotiations with the Pakistan Army. During a court hearing at Adiala Jail, Khan expressed his readiness for talks and urged the military to appoint a representative for the negotiations.
Khan, who has been incarcerated for nearly a year, clarified that while his party has critiqued the military, it has never made direct allegations against it. He stated that if any PTI member was found guilty of involvement in the riots of May 9, 2023, they should be held accountable.
The former prime minister suggested that the current government is attempting to create discord between PTI and the military. He expressed frustration over what he perceives as an undeclared martial law, questioning figures like Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and citing his dissatisfaction with Naqvi’s role in his legal troubles. Khan labeled Naqvi as “their representative” and declared that he would not negotiate with him.
Khan also criticized Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, accusing her of being “fascist” and highlighting the numerous arrests of PTI leaders in the province. He claimed that his arrest last year was a form of abduction, which was unjustly validated by the Islamabad High Court’s Chief Justice Aamer Farooq. Khan has demanded that Chief Justice Farooq recuse himself from his cases and that they be assigned to other judges.
The PTI founder’s call for dialogue has been met with skepticism and criticism. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Marriyum Aurangzeb dismissed Khan’s appeal as a shift from his previous stance of not seeking a pardon. Aurangzeb questioned the need for negotiations with the military, suggesting that Khan should apologize for the violence during the May 9 protests instead of seeking talks. She criticized Khan’s characterization of Chief Minister Nawaz as fascist, arguing that true fascism involves constitutional violations and political repression.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari also condemned Khan, labeling him a “fascist ruler” who previously jailed over 100 PML-N leaders. Bokhari accused Khan of shifting blame for his own alleged misdeeds and failed rebellion. She emphasized that those responsible for the May 9 riots would be held accountable.
Khan’s recent statements come in the wake of his endorsement of earlier comments regarding a planned peaceful protest outside the military’s General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, which had been contradicted by PTI leadership. Additionally, Khan attempted to clarify his controversial 2022 remark that “only animals are neutral,” explaining that he meant the army is non-partisan rather than referring to it in derogatory terms.
Khan’s legal troubles have been extensive, involving multiple high-profile cases including the Toshakhana, cipher, and un-Islamic marriage cases. Although some convictions have been overturned and his sentence in the Toshakhana case suspended, new charges related to the May 9 riots have further complicated his situation. Khan and his wife, Bushra, who has also faced legal issues, continue to navigate a complex and challenging legal landscape.
