RAWALPINDI:
Holding the line on demanding a probe into the May 9 riots, PTI founder Imran Khan has brushed aside concerns about former DG ISI Lt-Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed’s arrest, asserting he wouldn’t have gone out on a limb by demanding a judicial commission if he had fears.
He further added that allegations of conspiracy against the former spymaster are unfounded, as the real conspiracy was against the PTI and its government. “The May 9 case could be resolved within an hour.”
Further, the incarcerated leader also dismissed recent reports of an alleged jail network bust as nothing more than “witch-hunting”, adding that his legal team and leaders were sufficient to communicate on his behalf, making it unnecessary for any officer to act as a liaison.
During an informal conversation with journalists at Adiala Jail, where the PTI founder appeared for a hearing in the £190 million reference, Imran reiterated his demand for a judicial commission on the May 9 incident and alleged that the establishment was hindering its formation.
Commenting on former prime minister and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif’s recent remarks that PTI was responsible for driving the country back into the clutches of IMF, the PTI founder refuted claims that his party was the reason for the country’s current economic woes.
Denying the charge, he urged people to refer to the Economic Survey of Pakistan, pointing out that the PML-N had left behind a deficit of $19.5 billion, which forced PTI to seek assistance from the global lender.
Regarding anti-corruption efforts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he advised MNA Junaid Akbar Khan and former provincial minister Atif Khan to engage with the anti-corruption committee rather than airing issues publicly.
He stressed that the committee, comprising former NAB chairman Brigadier Musaddiq, senior lawyer Qazi Anwar, and Shah Farman, is impartial and capable of making fair decisions.
The PTI founder alleged multiple conspiracies were hatched against his government, including the removal of General Hameed on Nawaz Sharif’s orders, the hiring of Pakistan’s former ambassador to the US Hussain Haqqani for lobbying by General Bajwa, and the subsequent involvement of US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu, which led to the downfall of his government.
He also criticised the handling of the May 9 case and the alleged theft of PTI’s mandate in the February 8 elections, calling for an investigation into election rigging.
Imran further expressed concerns about the country’s one-sided operations, attributing them to the chief justice’s extension and the pursuit of a two-thirds majority.
He also lamented the economic losses incurred due to restrictions on media, social media, and the internet, pointing out that India’s IT exports alone are valued at $160 billion.
The PTI leader condemned the destruction of institutions by placing fraudulent individuals in power and using NAB, police, and FIA for wrongful actions. He urged the authorities to stop harming the country, stating that while PTI’s vote bank is growing, the government is suffering.
He stressed that social media is the people’s voice and accused the government of stifling democracy through rigging.
The PTI founder criticised the restrictions on his communication in jail, labelling the situation as a continuation of the witch hunt against him.
He also expressed frustration over being denied meetings with opposition leaders in the National Assembly and Senate, sarcastically questioning whether he should discuss the weather instead of politics.
He noted that the chief justice’s remarks on the £190 million reference had sent a clear message to the judge handling the case, questioning how the chief justice could comment on a case under trial.
He also mentioned his decision to run for the position of vice chancellor at Oxford University, adding that a message had been sent to Zulfi Bukhari to file his statement on his behalf.
Quote
The PML-N left a deficit of $19.5 billion. That’s why we had to go to the IMF
PTI founder Imran Khan
