Former Prime Minister and founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, has made a bold statement from his prison cell, declaring that he will only negotiate with those who wield real power. Speaking to the media after a court hearing regarding the 190 million-pound reference, Khan detailed his harsh imprisonment conditions and criticized the current political landscape.
Imran Khan described his confinement as severe, stating, “I am being kept in a death cell. I haven’t asked for any special treatment or facilities in jail. I can’t tweet myself, so I direct my lawyers to do so.” Despite his incarceration, Khan remains vocal about his stance on the ongoing political and economic issues in Pakistan.
During his conversation with the media, Khan drew parallels between the current situation and the findings of the Hamoodur Rahman Commission, which was established to investigate the events leading to Pakistan’s dismemberment in 1971. He emphasized that the commission’s report held General Yahya Khan responsible for his actions driven by personal power, warning that similar mistakes are being repeated today, potentially leading to economic collapse.
Khan highlighted his administration’s achievements, noting that during his three and a half years in power, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) collected 450 billion rupees. He lamented that due to recent amendments to NAB laws, the country suffered a loss of 1,100 billion rupees, with only minimal amounts being recovered. “A country on its knees cannot afford such losses,” he asserted.
Addressing the role of social media, Khan praised his online supporters, calling them “heroes.” He criticized the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for fabricating a false cypher case against him, demanding an apology and insisting on answering their questions only in the presence of his lawyers. He accused Mohsin Naqvi of orchestrating this political vendetta.
When asked about the Supreme Court’s suggestion to engage in dialogue with political parties, Khan stood firm, recalling his refusal to negotiate with then-Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz during Pervez Musharraf’s regime. “I negotiated with Musharraf’s representatives because that’s where the power lay,” he explained. Khan also criticized the delay in Punjab elections, alleging that General Asim Munir had decided against holding them and that Justice Bandial succumbed to opposition pressure.