Islamabad: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said that his party is ready to hold talks with the military, a remark that drew a lot of flak from the ruling government, Geo News reported. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder, who appeared in a court established in Adiala jail for a hearing, said: "We are ready to hold talks with the military. The army should nominate their representative (for negotiations)".
Khan, who has been imprisoned for nearly a year, said that his party had never leveled allegations against the army, but had only criticized the armed forces. He said that if any PTI worker was found guilty in last year's riots then the authorities should penalize the individual. The deposed premier further reiterated that the incumbent government wanted to destroy his party by creating a wedge between PTI and the armed forces.
Imran's move drew sharp rebukes from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders, who slammed the jailed former premier for "dragging" the army into political matters. Calling the 71-year-old cricketer-turned-politician a "security risk" for the country's economy, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar termed the PTI a "terrorist outfit," saying this terror organization was not suitable for Pakistan, Geo News reported.
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Imran seeks bail in 12 cases Former PM Imran Khan has approached an anti-terrorism court in Lahore seeking bail in 12 cases linked to last year's May 9 riots, media reports said. Imran's legal team, led by lawyer Salman Safdar, has filed the petitions, the Express Tribune reported this week. Khan, who is currently on judicial remand in all the cases, claims that there is no recovery to be made from him. He argues that the cases are based on malice and are a form of political retaliation against him. |
