Senior military officials have reportedly rejected the idea of talks with Imran Khan at any level, the willingness for which was expressed by the PTI founder during his recent interaction with party leaders at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail….reports Asian Lite News
Pakistan Army has ruled out any possibility of striking a deal with the country’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan, making it clear that the doors of negotiations with the former premier will remain shut. This admittance has left the political future of Imran Khan — and his hopes of having backdoor talks with the country’s powerful military establishment — in jeopardy.
As per a report in a British daily, senior military officials have completely rejected the idea of talks with Khan at any level, the willingness for which was expressed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder during his recent interaction with party leaders at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail.
Khan had conveyed that he was still willing to strike a deal with the military establishment of the country.
Interestingly, Imran Khan has previously accused the same military establishment and its army chief, General Syed Asim Munir, for his current state and incarceration. Khan had also accused the military establishment for ousting him from power and toppling his government through a US–led regime change conspiracy in Pakistan.
“Khan is facing court cases against him and can’t expect any deals from the military. He wants everyone to follow the rule of law but does not do the same himself and has been applying pressure for discussions with the military. He had even offered unconditional talks while seeking a deal to ensure his release,” said a source in the Pakistani military.
People close to Khan say that the PTI chief wants to deal with the military establishment and not the ruling government because he believes that the real power and authority lies with the powerful military.
“A deal or any engagement with the military would be based on principles and the interests of the people and not personal gain or compromise that undermines Pakistan’s democratic rules,” states a PTI leader.
Khan is facing over one hundred cases and has already spent over one year in jail on charges of corruption. He is expected to be put to trial in a military court for cases related to the May 2023 riots and sedition.
Meanwhile, PTI has announced a major protest rally in Islamabad on November 24, demanding Khan’s release and its electoral mandate, which it claims was stolen during the elections in February, this year.
Disinformation major challenge, says Gen Munir
Severely criticised by social media users and rights activists for targeting former Prime Minister Imran Khan and putting him in jail, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir has said that the freedom of expression needs to be regulated under a framework which blocks the fast spreading menace of misinformation and hate speech in the country.
Addressing an event in Islamabad, Munir batted for holding those people accountable who spread fake news, disinformation and cover it under the umbrella of freedom of speech and expression.
“Absence of proper regulations for freedom of expression is leading to deterioration of moral values in societies the world over. The world is confronted with several challenges, including rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation being one of the major challenges,” said the Pakistani Army Chief.
The statement comes at a time when the Pakistani military establishment is being slammed on social media platforms for putting former premier Imran Khan in jail.
Supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its massive team handling social media campaigns from Pakistan and abroad continue to vent their anger against the country’s military establishment and the army chief for Khan’s current state.
Pakistan’s military maintains that such campaigns are aimed at weakening the image of the armed forces and force them to indulge in petty politics by striking a political deal and reinstating Khan as the country’s prime minister.
The army chief also stated that Pakistan would not become a party to any conflict and would rather strive to maintain global peace and stability.
“Terrorism by violent non-state and state-sponsored entities remains a significant global challenge,” he said.
General Munir also addressed the issue of terrorism, calling on the neighbouring Afghan interim government to ensure that it keeps its promise and does not allow its soil to be used against Pakistan.
“We expect the Afghan interim government to ensure that Afghan soil is not used for terrorism against Pakistan and to take strict measures in this regard. Azm-e-Istehkam military initiative is an essential part of the National Action Plan and is aimed at eradicating the menace of terrorism and extremism,” he said.
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