April 27th 2024.
The city of Lahore was abuzz with news of Pakistan's former prime minister, Imran Khan. Despite being imprisoned, he remained a powerful figure in the country's political landscape. In a statement released on Friday to commemorate the 28th Foundation Day of his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Khan boldly declared that he would not make any deals with those who have oppressed and enslaved the nation. He even went as far as saying that he would willingly serve nine more years in prison if it meant he could stand by his principles.
Khan spoke out against the current state of affairs in Pakistan, where he believed the country was being ruined by a dictatorship that was also causing damage to the economy, government, democracy, and judiciary. He urged every individual to take a stand and help put an end to this destructive path that the country was heading towards. He made it clear that he was willing to make sacrifices for the freedom of his nation, but he would never compromise on his principles.
The former prime minister also addressed his nine-month-long imprisonment, which he believed was a result of false and fabricated charges. He stated that he was willing to remain behind bars for even longer if it meant standing up against those who have wronged his nation. Khan's removal from power in a no-confidence motion in April 2022 had led to his conviction in multiple cases and his subsequent imprisonment at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.
Since then, Khan's party has faced a crackdown from the powerful military. Many party members were arrested, and some even deserted the party after the violence that broke out following Khan's arrest. However, Khan's message came shortly after a PTI leader, Shehryar Afridi, claimed that the party was willing to have talks with the military leadership but not with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) or the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Afridi stated that the country's security was of utmost importance, and therefore, they would only engage in talks with the army chief, the DG I[SI], and the army. He called the PPP and PML-N a "rejected lot" and reiterated that the party would only engage in talks with the military leadership for the sake of Pakistan's future. He also mentioned that the two parties had the option to abandon their mandate, and then the PTI would consider working with them.
Afridi also addressed the rumors of secret talks between Khan and the establishment, stating that the party was not interested in holding talks with anyone. He also mentioned that Khan had been wanting to engage with the military leadership since the beginning, but no response was forthcoming. However, if any response did come, it would be brought before the public.
Recently, there were speculations that Khan was being pressured to accept a deal, but PTI leader Barrister Gohar Ali Khan dismissed these claims and stated that the party was not interested in talks with anyone. Despite PTI winning more than 90 seats in the National Assembly in the February 8 general election, the PML-N and PPP formed a post-poll alliance, sidelining Khan's party from forming the federal government. But Khan's supporters still see him as the true leader of Pakistan, and they believe that the country needs him now more than ever.
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