The Incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan remarked that it Would Be ‘Foolish’ Not to Maintain Good Ties with Military, highlighting the significance of fostering a strong relationship with the armed forces given Pakistan’s strategic position and the military’s prominent role in the private sector. Imran Khan, who attributes his ouster and year-long imprisonment to what he deems fabricated charges, has emphasized the importance of maintaining “excellent” relations with the army.
Ahead of the anniversary of his jailing on various charges, including corruption and leaking state secrets, Imran Khan reiterated in written responses to Reuters that he harbors no ill will towards the United States, which he has also accused of orchestrating his 2022 removal from office.
“Given Pakistan’s geographical position and the military’s significant role in the private sector, it would be foolish not to foster such a relationship,” Imran Khan conveyed through his media and legal team. “We are proud of our soldiers and armed forces,” he added, clarifying that his criticisms were directed at individuals rather than the military institution as a whole.
Imran Khan proposed “conditional negotiations” with the military, contingent on “clean and transparent” elections and the dismissal of “bogus” charges against his supporters. Both the army and the government have consistently denied his allegations and did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment. The United States also denies any involvement in his ouster.
Imran Khan, who lost power in a parliamentary vote of no confidence, blames the army for supporting the politically motivated cases against him. Despite this, he expressed willingness to engage with the establishment if released from jail. “We are open to any dialogue that could help improve the dire situation in Pakistan,” he stated, dismissing talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition government as futile due to its lack of public support.
Imran Khan’s imprisonment has intensified political volatility in Pakistan, which is grappling with a prolonged economic crisis. Analysts attribute the political instability since Khan’s ouster to Islamabad’s acceptance of the IMF’s stringent fiscal consolidation requirements, which have heavily taxed the populace. The IMF has called for political stability to facilitate the $350 billion economy’s recovery.
Rejecting the notion of an out-of-court settlement with the government or military, Imran Khan insists on acknowledging PTI’s majority win in February’s election. “The elections were the most rigged in Pakistan’s history,” Imran Khan asserted to Reuters
