Imran Khan Emphasizes Constitutional Limits in Talks Proposal with Military
ADIALA JAIL: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan stated on Saturday that he will adhere to constitutional limits when holding talks, following his recent proposal for negotiations with the military.
Speaking to reporters inside Adiala Jail, Khan remarked, “I will hold talks while staying within the Constitution.” This statement comes after Khan expressed his willingness to engage in discussions with the military, suggesting they nominate a representative for the negotiations.
“We are ready to hold talks with the military. The army should nominate their representative [for negotiations],” Khan reiterated during a case hearing earlier this week at the Adiala facility.
Khan, along with senior PTI leaders such as Shah Mahmood Qureshi and numerous party workers, faces various legal cases related to the May 9 riots, which erupted after Khan’s arrest in a graft case last year. These riots led to the vandalism of military installations, including Rawalpindi’s General Headquarters (GHQ) and Lahore’s Corps Commander’s House, triggering a nationwide crackdown on the PTI.
Since then, Khan has frequently expressed a preference for negotiating with the military over the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led government. This stance has provoked strong reactions from the government, which has accused Khan of attempting to politicize the military while also offering the PTI a chance to negotiate.
The PTI is also facing a potential ban, which Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal indicated could be implemented once institutions make a decision. Iqbal suggested that the PTI should review its behavior and seek an apology from state institutions and the public as a possible path forward.
“First and foremost, our mandate should be given back to us,” Khan asserted, emphasizing the party’s long-standing demand for their allegedly stolen mandate to be returned. He questioned how he could negotiate with the current government, which he claims would collapse if the electoral results of even four constituencies were scrutinized.
When asked about Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai’s alleged refusal to negotiate with the army, Khan clarified that Achakzai is willing to hold talks with political parties.
“Achakzai will only [hold] talk with political parties,” he said.
Addressing accusations of taking a U-turn on his stance, Khan took a jab at the PML-N for abandoning its “vote ko izzat do” (respect the vote) narrative, accusing them of giving respect to the “boot” instead.
Regarding the termination of Sher Afzal Marwat’s party membership, Khan initially did not respond but later mentioned he would address the issue at another time. On Friday, the PTI decided to cancel Marwat’s basic party membership for “gross violation/breach” of discipline, though the leadership remains divided on the matter, with Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan labeling the notification as “fake,” while Naeem Panjutha affirmed its validity.
