Imran Khan says it's futile to talk to govt on shaky ground
Pakistan
Says he will engage in negotiations with those who hold real power
The PTI founder insists his party's stolen mandate should be returned
Says he has mandated Achakzai to have dialogue with political parties
The incarcerated politico extends olive branch to army
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan said on Saturday he would not hold talks with a weak government, saying he would engage with those who hold real power in the country.
The former prime minister, while informally speaking to journalists, said the talks would be held within the limits of constitution.
He said the stolen mandate of PTI should be returned. "Democracy all around the world operates on the basis of ethics," Khan said, adding that parliament had never functioned through force.
“What negotiations should I have with the government which will end once the four constituencies are opened?" he said while responding to a question.
When asked about Mahmood Khan Achakzai’s statement that he could not hold talks with the army, the PTI founder said he had told him to engage in talks with political parties.
'WILLING TO TALK TO ARMY'
Earlier this week, Imran Khan said his party was ready for talks with army as they had never levelled allegations against the military but only criticised it.
Speaking to journalists in Adiala Jail, the former prime minister said the PTI had mandated Mahmood Khan Achakzai for talks with army but no one was nominated from the other side.
“We have complete trust on Achakzai,” he said.
Imran Khan said the first demand for negotiations was the return of the stolen mandate. The second demand is the release of arrested workers and quashing of cases. The third stage is saving the country, which is not possible without clean and transparent elections, he made it clear.
Responding to a question about Fazlur Rehman’s call for resigning from assemblies, he said: “He is talking about the third stage”.
He also threw his weight behind the ongoing sit-in by the Jamaat-e-Islami, saying he would direct party leaders to join the protest immediately.
The PTI founder also talked about the May 9 incidents, saying the CCTV footage could prove their innocence. “If anyone from PTI is involved in May 9, he or she should be brought to justice”.
“I never engaged in violence during my 28-year political struggle,” he said.
He accused the government of trying to wipe out the PTI by pitting it against army, adding that both parties [PML-N and PPP] were about to vanish.
