Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and a former prime minister, has harshly condemned Iran for violating Pakistan’s airspace and called for an investigation into the events that preceded this incident.
Khan emphasized the importance of determining how the situation came to such a dangerous point during an unofficial media discussion with the media on Thursday at the Adiala Jail courtroom.
Concerned, Khan asked whether it makes sense to place one’s nation in such danger and whether it would be better for Pakistan to damage ties with Iran. He emphasized the need for collaboration with Afghanistan in the fight against terrorism, referencing the guarantees provided by Shah Mehmood Qureshi while he was foreign minister.
Khan drew attention to the absence of trips to Afghanistan during Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s time as foreign minister, highlighting the critical role Afghanistan plays in putting a stop to terrorism. He issued a warning about Afghanistan’s possible border closure, which would further exacerbate the dynamics in the area.
Khan thought back on his diplomatic efforts, recalling his discussions with Iran’s supreme leader during his visit there as prime minister. He acknowledged that some people are happy with tense relations with Iran, but he asked whether taking this stand is in Pakistan’s best interests. In the context of Iran, he called for de-escalation rather than escalation and attacked the BJP‘s strategy toward Pakistan.
Speaking to domestic issues, Khan discussed the effects of postponed elections and linked the nation’s problems to a lack of electoral stability. He said that the PTI was being suppressed by the election delay and voiced doubts about the legitimacy of a prime minister in transition. Khan also quoted Qamar Javed Bajwa, the former chief of staff of the Pakistani army, saying that the current state of affairs in Pakistan was similar to 1970, when party tickets were crucial.
In a calculated move, Khan proposed designating candidates as “prisoner number 804” for the next election campaign, highlighting the PTI’s base of support’s tenacity in the face of difficulties. In addition to expressing his desire to offer party tickets to them for the next elections, he commended the work of the attorneys defending PTI officials. He did, however, clarify that Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz had been given the responsibility of managing the party’s ticket distribution due to limited access to party operations.
In response to questions regarding his incarceration, Khan discussed the inadequate amenities, bringing up the PTV center that was utilized for propaganda. “I used to watch only sports on PTV, but after the Cricket World Cup ended, I stopped watching anything,” he insisted.
He talked about his morning workout regimen, his court appearances, and his heavy reading schedule, which included three readings of the Holy Quran. Khan expressed gratitude for the time he had to reflect while incarcerated and expressed gratitude for the quiet he had to read and pray.
Citing Nawaz Sharif as an example, Khan warned against corrupt practices and denounced political meddling in legal affairs. He conveyed his sorrow for Justice Ijazul Ahsan’s departure while highlighting the significance of preserving an unbiased legal system.
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