Imran Khan, PTI leader, reverses stance on the nomination of new COAS.
Speaking to a small group of journalists on Wednesday, the former prime minister asserted that “no army head goes against the interest of the people.” He maintained his firm position toward PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, claiming that Nawaz desired to install his own Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) to protect his interests.
Imran Khan Refutes the Toshakhana Scandal
Regarding the Toshakhana issue, Khan charged a reputable media outlet with fabricating a report. “I have proof that I bought the watch from Toshakhana,” he declared, adding that he would take the private TV channel and its anchor to courts in Pakistan, Dubai, and London. The item was a present he got during his vacation to Saudi Arabia.
However, “we have requested them to give a date for the fresh elections first,” he told the journalists, adding that they were receiving communications for negotiations.
Imran Khan Emphasized Early Elections
He emphasized the importance of conducting early elections and claimed that this was the only option to get the country out of its current predicament.
In the national interest, he said, I am willing to keep good relations with the Americans even though they ousted my government. The interests of the country will always come first for him, he continued. He further asserted that his position in the United States had been misrepresented in foreign media.
Haqeeqi Azadi March
The former premier addressed participants of the PTI’s “Haqeeqi Azadi” march in Jhelum, Sargodha, and Mardan via video link while speaking to them from the province capital, announcing a date for the arrival of the long march in Rawalpindi within a few days. He continued, “I will announce my intentions at Rawalpindi, and they will be lawful, peaceful, and constitutional.”
A private media outlet and the PML-N were also criticized by him for spreading false information about him, saying that “the TV channel and the PML-N have joined forces to malign me and the Chief Election Commissioner was also part in the conspiracy to get me banned from national politics.”
Legal Action against A Channel and Government
We are planning to pursue legal action against them in the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan over assertions being made about the sale of Toshakhana gifts, he said, pointing out that a false narrative was fabricated against him by a notorious fraudster and wanted criminal, Umar Farooq. “In court, we will prove that the media house (engaged in the propaganda) was exploiting the medium to achieve its objectives under the pretense of freedom of expression,” he continued.
He claimed that even though they had filed all of their supporting evidence to the Pakistani Election Commission, it would still take action against us. He asserted that PPP was still a party to litigation of a similar nature.
Amendment Changes
According to him, the government wants to change the Army Act for its benefit. He claimed that the coalition administration would only name people to positions in organizations if doing so supported their interests or brought them financial gain. Such an amendment, he said, “would only harm institutions.”
He criticized the selection of the army chief by the prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, again, saying that “a felon could not take crucial decisions for the country.” Pakistan is At Danger of Defaulting
He demanded rapid new elections because “this was the only way out of the current economic catastrophe in Pakistan,” keeping in mind the country’s current economic disaster. He stated that “since this government has taken over, the economy has nosedived,” signaling that the nation was on the edge of default.
Imran painted a bleak picture, saying, “If Pakistan fails, investors would be reluctant to invest, and we will suffer further depreciation of the rupee, which will ultimately cause inflation and unemployment in the country.”
Coalition Government Feared New Election
He was confident that the coalition government would not call new elections, as Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif both feared losing power. The PTI Chairman once more pleaded with Pakistan’s Chief Justice Umar Atta Bandial to look into the assassination attempt on the PTI Chairman, the alleged torture of PTI Senator Azam Swati, and the death of Arshad Sharif. We have filed separate petitions in this regard with the Supreme Court and its Registry Office in each province, he said.
“This is a defining time for the country, and we are urging you to offer freedom to the country by providing us justice,” he said, reminding the CJ that the people expected justice from him.
