ISLAMABAD – Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s latest attempt at dialogue with military establishment was turned down amid growing tensions in the country.
A report by The Guardian quoting familiar sources claimed that the establishment turned down any possibility of engaging in negotiations with PTI founder Imran Khan, who has remained behind bars since August last year.
PTI chief apparently took another U-Turn as he moved to negotiate with military leadership, provided the discussions were based on democratic principles and the public interest.
The ousted PM fired a salvo at military leaders, but his rhetoric softened over time, offering “conditional” talks in July if the military agreed to hold free and fair elections. As per reports, the prime minister suggested unconditional discussions in hopes of securing his release.
The Military stands firm that Imran Khan must face his legal challenges and cannot expect special treatment. One senior military official remarked that Khan demands rule of law but refuses to follow it himself.
Despite unending legal battles, the PTI leader remains confident that he will eventually receive justice and continues to believe that if the people choose, he could return to power.
Earlier this week, Imran Khan called for final protest in Islamabad, which is expected to draw significant attention as the political crisis in Pakistan deepens. The military and government appear resolute in their stance against any negotiations with Khan, while the situation remains fluid and unpredictable
Matthew Miller addresses questions about Imran Khan’s release
