Pakistan’s imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan has denied making any agreements with those who “enslaved” the country, saying he is willing to serve nine more years in prison but has no intention of making any agreements with them. .
In a message released on Friday on the occasion of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party’s 28th National Day, Mr. Khan said that the “worst dictatorship” had been imposed on the country and that the economy and government were in jeopardy. He said that it is becoming the basis for “destruction.” He is about governance, democracy and justice.”
He called on each individual to play a role in halting this descent into national ruin.
“My message to the people is that I will make whatever sacrifices are necessary for actual freedom, but I will never compromise my or my country’s freedom.”
Khan said he had been in prison for the past nine months on “false charges”. [and] A fabricated incident.”
“If I have to stay in prison for another nine years or more, I will stay in prison, but I will never make a deal with those who enslaved my country.”
The 71-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician has been convicted in at least four cases since he was ousted from power in a no-confidence motion in April 2022. Mr. Khan is being held in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail after being convicted in several cases.
Mr Khan’s party has faced repression since falling into conflict with the powerful military. The party had been under pressure in the form of arrests and desertions following the May 9 riots that erupted after Khan’s arrest last year.
Khan’s message comes after PTI leader Sheharyar Afridi insisted he would not hold talks with Bilwal Bhutto Zardai’s Pakistan People’s Party and the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party following recent overtures. It was announced immediately after.
“I’m going to talk to the Secretary of War, Commander-in-Chief I.”[SI] And the military, because that’s the need of the hour. [prioritise] It is the security of the country,” Afridi said.
Calling both parties “rejected groups”, Afridi reiterated that Pakistan “needs” Khan and would talk to the army chief for Pakistan’s freedom and future.
He said both parties had no choice but to abandon the mission, after which the PTI would decide whether to proceed with cooperation.
“From the first day we engaged, that was Mr. Khan’s wish,” Afridi claimed. [with the military leadership] However, there was no reply. ”
If there is any “response”, it will be placed before the public, he said.
Earlier this week, the PTI leader’s barrister Gohar Ali Khan had claimed that Mr Khan was under pressure to accept a “deal”.
Barrister Gohar denied speculation about secret negotiations with the regime and made it clear that the party was not interested in negotiating with anyone and had no intention of doing so.
In the Feb. 8 general election, independent candidates backed by Khan’s PTI won more than 90 seats in parliament. But the PMN-L, led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and the PPP formed a post-poll alliance, distancing the jailed ex-prime minister’s party from forming a federal government, which came to power last month.
