PTI founder Imran Khan has reached out to the military, expressing his willingness to engage in dialogue and emphasizing that his previous criticisms of the armed forces were always meant to be constructive.
He also criticized the PPP and PML-N, accusing them of attempting to create a divide between PTI and the military to weaken his party, asserting that his political opponents are struggling and relying on the May 9 riots to stay relevant.
During an informal conversation with journalists at Adiala Jail on Tuesday, the former prime minister stated, “We are open to dialogue with the military. They should appoint a representative, and we can move forward with negotiations.”
“We have never made baseless accusations against the military; our approach has always been one of constructive criticism,” he added.
Imran announced that he has appointed PkMAP chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai to represent PTI in the talks and reaffirmed his confidence in Achakzai despite circulating rumors.
The PTI leader further compared the military to “a wayward child in need of guidance” and stressed that criticism is essential for a healthy democracy.
He referenced historical “military mistakes,” comparing his criticism to those directed at General Ziaul Haq for Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s execution and General Yahya Khan for the Fall of Dhaka.
When asked about his apparent shift in attitude toward the military, given his previous allegations, he clarified, “I have never made accusations against the military; I have only offered criticism. It’s incorrect to claim that the military has never made mistakes.”
On the topic of political negotiations, he reiterated his refusal to engage with political parties, questioning the legitimacy of entities like the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, whom he accused of implementing “a de facto martial law” in the country.
Imran Khan was resolute about not engaging with Mohsin Naqvi, accusing him of orchestrating violence against PTI members, including the death of party worker Ali Bilal, also known as Zille Shah.
He demanded the return of the “stolen mandate” and the release of arrested PTI workers as conditions for any negotiation, insisting that transparent elections are crucial to saving the country.
He also expressed support for Jamaat-e-Islami’s sit-in against exorbitant electricity bills and taxes, urging PTI leadership to join the protest. Additionally, he voiced solidarity with the Baloch people protesting enforced disappearances, criticizing the government for fueling hatred in Balochistan.
Highlighting the struggles faced by ordinary citizens, he mentioned that the electricity bill for the cleaner of his jail cell was an overwhelming Rs40,000. He condemned the rise in utility bills and taxes, supporting Jamaat-e-Islami’s stance on the issue.
Imran Khan further lamented the challenges his party faces, noting that despite its non-violent stance, PTI is denied permission to hold rallies, while other parties are freely allowed to do so.
He also announced plans for upcoming rallies in Swabi and Islamabad, clarifying that PTI seeks no unrest but is being cornered by the actions of the current government.
The jailed former premier denied apologizing to the NAB prosecutor, labeling NAB officials as either incompetent or unethical.
He expressed frustration over his prolonged imprisonment due to NAB’s actions and mocked the numerous cases against him, praising Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi for his resilience despite severe injuries.
