Detained Imran Khan, the founding chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has rejected the military’s demand that he issue an apology for the events of May 9 and has distanced his party from the violent protests that erupted across the nation last year shortly after his incarceration.
During an informal conversation with journalists on Wednesday in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, the deposed prime minister stated, “Why should I tender apology, it should be sought from me.” He has been imprisoned since August of last year after being charged with multiple offenses, including corruption and violating the Official Secrets Act.
In response to a query on his Tuesday press conference at which he called on “those involved in the May 9 violent protests to apologise” and eschew politics of “anarchy” before engaging in any kind of conversation, the PTI founder was speaking to reporters.
The chief military spokesperson also denied having a conversation with people who have attacked military sites and disrespected the nation’s martyrs throughout the lengthy press conference.
Additionally, he had stated that the May 9 accused and their perpetrators will have to face legal and constitutional penalties.
The events of May 9 pertain to the violent riots that ensued after former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested in a corruption case from the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the previous year.
Alleged PTI supporters stormed military sites across the nation and caused damage to both private and public property during the rallies.
The PTI founder dissociated his party from the violent protests during a press conference today, claiming that during the course of the party’s 27-year existence, violence had never been used.
He added that he didn’t learn about the May 9 riots until he was brought before Umar Ata Bandial, the chief justice at the time, in the Supreme Court.
“In front of [former] Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, I denounced the May 9 incidents,” he continued.
The outgoing prime minister remarked, “If you don’t want to talk, then don’t. I am asking for holding dialogues for the sake of Pakistan,” in reference to the DG ISPR statement that linked dialogue with the apology.
Khan stated that neither making a “deal” nor wanting to leave the nation were his goals.
In addition, he brought up the 2021 American Capitol riots, stating that those responsible for the attack were found guilty after being recognized by security camera footage.
“While here [in Pakistan], the CCTV footage vanished,” he remarked, making reference to the violent probe from May 9.
Khan also supported the request made by DG ISPR Maj Gen Chaudhry to hold a judicial investigation into the PTI-organized sit-in in 2014 in protest of the alleged manipulation of the 2013 general elections.
“I’m prepared to answer questions about the 2014 sit-in. I would be delighted to testify before a committee of inquiry. “Every accusation made against me concerning the 2014 sit-in is untrue,” he continued.
In the same conversation, the PTI founder declared, “The army is ours and we have no problem with the army.” “Please, do not involve the armed forces in political matters.”
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