Imran Khan, former Prime Minister of Pakistan and leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, have accused the federal coalition of exploiting negotiations with the opposition to delay elections.
In an interview with ARY News anchor Maria Memon, Khan expressed concern that the ruling parties were using these talks merely to buy time and postpone the elections past their scheduled dates.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan had instructed all major political parties to reach a consensus on the provincial and national assembly election dates within a week. Despite this directive, the ruling parties rejected the court’s decision, stating that negotiations with the PTI could not occur while the court was overseeing the process. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who also leads the Pakistan Democratic Movement, referred to these dialogues as “talks at gunpoint.”
The PTI and ruling parties have reached a deadlock over elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, whose assemblies were dissolved earlier this year. The PTI is determined to hold elections for provincial legislatures, whereas the government pushes for simultaneous elections throughout the country.
Imran Khan stated that he had given PTI Central Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi the authority to negotiate with the government. However, Khan revealed that no PDM member had formally approached the PTI. He emphasized that it would be a trap if the ruling parties continued to leave the election timeline open-ended.
Khan also insisted that removing the current interim arrangements is crucial and demanded the establishment of genuine caretaker governments. He criticized the provisional Punjab government and the police operation at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore.
Additionally, Khan stated that if his party returned to power, he would prioritize establishing the rule of law and rebuilding Pakistan. However, he also emphasized that the PDM’s fascist actions against PTI supporters were inexcusable.
Lastly, Imran Khan accused former army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa of being a liar, lacking ideology, and conspiring against the PTI for over a year. He alleged that Bajwa sought American support for his extension and was willing to grant an NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance) to corrupt individuals, which, according to Khan, demonstrated Bajwa’s lack of ideology.
