PTI chief Imran Khan was evasive but eloquent when he was asked about reports that he met an “important personality” from the military establishment during a meeting at the President’s House where Arif Alvi was also present in recent past weeks.

The reply was given during the ARY News show Sawal Ye Hai program. Host Maria Memon had asked the former premier about audio leaks, PTI’s long march call, and recent political meetings.

“I don’t want to tell a lie, and I cannot tell the truth,” he replied when the host asked whether he went to the President’s House in recent past weeks. The question was asked against the background of former state information minister Ishaq Khakwani’s comments on a TV programme where he spilled the beans about the apparent development.

So far, the PTI leadership has neither confirmed it nor denied it.

Imran during the interview stressed that negotiations should always be held, adding that the PTI’s objective was to get the country out of the “quagmire” through free and fair elections.

The PTI has been making such a demand since Imran was voted out through a trust vote in the National Assembly in April. He was of the view that Pakistan’s economic crisis, rising inflation, farmers’ protests, and rupee devaluation could not have occurred if his government was ousted.

The ex-PM claimed that the leaders of the incumbent government would seek National Reconciliation Ordinance until there were in power.

“They will end their Rs1,100 worth of corruption cases. Americans wanted to change the regime and the government did not buy oil and wheat from Russia. So they will get their part. But, the nation will have to pay for this,” he said and claimed that he was seeing hopelessness and despair in the country.

Imran slammed the amendments to the National Accountability Bureau laws, alleging that such tweaks give protection to white-collar crimes.

‘National security risk’

Former premier Imran described the recent Prime Minister House audio leaks as a “national security risk”, lamenting that it could reach the enemies of the country. He warned that such conversations could also have other content or classified content.

“It seems the secure connection of the Prime Minister House is recorded, which was later hacked,” he replied when the host while quoting PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz said that the person behind this was not a hacker.

There have been several social media accounts that claim to have several audio recordings of national leaders.

“Whatever has come in cipher, I have spoken about it in public rallies,” Imran said.