The chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, has stated that he does not require support from the military establishment and is willing to discuss the issue with anyone except “thieves.”
According to an interview with BBC Urdu, Khan expressed his desire to hold elections in the country in accordance with the law and constitution, emphasizing that he does not require any “crutches” in order to reach this goal.
Imran denied the claims that he had asked to meet with either Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif or Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir. He asserted that his party does not require outside assistance to win the election and that he is ready to speak with anyone who shares his vision for free and open elections.
The coalition government was criticised by the PTI Chairman and charged with putting obstacles in the way of free and fair elections. He claimed that the government is attempting to stall the election because it is afraid of losing the popular vote.
Imran expressed his dissatisfaction with the government’s stance on the forthcoming elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He emphasised that a party employee died as a result of the police crackdown on PTI workers in Lahore after Section 144 was implemented.
He continued by accusing the administration of inventing justifications for not holding the elections and asserting that it was the responsibility of the caretaker administration to hold the elections and not to interfere with their conduct.
The PTI Chairman reaffirmed that his party had received popular support because it had won 37 by-elections in recent months. He claimed that the government was attempting to spread disorder in order to postpone the elections under the guise of unrest.
Imran expressed his concern that the government might target a well-known figure like Benazir Bhutto in an effort to sabotage the elections and cause chaos. The Constitution and the law would be nullified if elections weren’t held, he continued, adding that this would be considered contempt of court.
The PTI Chairman continued by claiming that his rivals wanted to have him declared ineligible and imprisoned in order for the coalition government’s constituent parties to triumph in the elections. The PTI wants free and fair elections, and the people should be given the chance to select their representatives, he reaffirmed.
Imran concluded by emphasising that the government should hold free and fair elections and that the PTI did not require the support of the military establishment to win the election. He pleaded with the government to prevent chaos and make sure that the elections were conducted in accordance with the law and the Constitution.
