ISLAMABAD – Imran Khan, the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), stated on Saturday that he would not negotiate with a weak government and would instead engage with those in real authority in the country.
While speaking informally with media, the former prime minister stated that the conversations would take place within the framework of the constitution.
He stated the PTI’s stolen mandate should be returned. “Democracy all over the world operates on the basis of ethics,” Khan remarked, adding that parliament has never used force.
“What negotiations should I have with the government that will end once the four constituencies are open?” he remarked in response to a question.
When asked about Mahmood Khan Achakzai’s declaration that he could not hold negotiations with the army, the PTI founder stated that he had instructed him to participate in discussions with political parties.
‘Willing to talk to the army.’
Earlier this week, Imran Khan stated that his party was prepared for negotiations with the army because they had never made complaints against the military, only critiqued it.
Speaking to media in Adiala Jail, the former prime minister stated that the PTI had appointed Mahmood Khan Achakzai to lead discussions with the army, but no one from the opposing side had been selected.
“We have complete trust on Achakzai,” the president stated.
ISLAMABAD – Imran Khan, the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), stated on Saturday that he would not negotiate with a weak government and would instead engage with those in real authority in the country.
While speaking informally with media, the former prime minister stated that the conversations would take place within the framework of the constitution.
He stated the PTI’s stolen mandate should be returned. “Democracy all over the world operates on the basis of ethics,” Khan remarked, adding that parliament has never used force.
“What negotiations should I have with the government that will end once the four constituencies are open?” he remarked in response to a question.
When asked about Mahmood Khan Achakzai’s declaration that he could not hold negotiations with the army, the PTI founder stated that he had instructed him to participate in discussions with political parties.
‘Willing to talk to the army.’
Earlier this week, Imran Khan stated that his party was prepared for negotiations with the army because they had never made complaints against the military, only critiqued it.
Speaking to media in Adiala Jail, the former prime minister stated that the PTI had appointed Mahmood Khan Achakzai to lead discussions with the army, but no one from the opposing side had been selected.
“We have complete trust on Achakzai,” the president stated.
Imran Khan stated that the first demand for negotiations was the recovery of the stolen mandate. The second demand is the release of arrested workers and the dismissal of cases. He stated unequivocally that the third stage is to save the country, which is impossible without clean and honest elections.
In response to a query on Fazlur Rehman’s request to resign from assemblies, he stated, “He is talking about the third stage”.
He also pledged his support behind the Jamaat-e-Islami’s ongoing sit-in, stating that he would instruct party leaders to attend the demonstration immediately.
The PTI founder also addressed the May 9 incidents, stating that CCTV evidence might prove their innocence. “If anyone from PTI is involved in May 9, he or she should be brought to justice” .
“I never engaged in violence during my 28-year political struggle,” stated the leader.
He accused the government of attempting to eliminate the PTI by placing it against the army, and claimed that both parties [PML-N and PPP] were on the verge of extinction.
Imran Khan stated that the first demand for negotiations was the recovery of the stolen mandate. The second demand is the release of arrested workers and the dismissal of cases. He stated unequivocally that the third stage is to save the country, which is impossible without clean and honest elections.
In response to a query on Fazlur Rehman’s request to resign from assemblies, he stated, “He is talking about the third stage”.
He also pledged his support behind the Jamaat-e-Islami’s ongoing sit-in, stating that he would instruct party leaders to attend the demonstration immediately.
The PTI founder also addressed the May 9 incidents, stating that CCTV evidence might prove their innocence. “If anyone from PTI is involved in May 9, he or she should be brought to justice” .
“I never engaged in violence during my 28-year political struggle,” stated the leader.
He accused the government of attempting to eliminate the PTI by placing it against the army, and claimed that both parties [PML-N and PPP] were on the verge of extinction.
