PTI’s former chairman, Imran Khan, engaged with a group of journalists inside Adiala jail on Monday. It was his first such exchange since his arrest on August 5.

The former PTI chairman has claimed that the May 9 violence was part of, what he calls, ‘the London Plan’.

Imran Khan was quoted as saying by reporters that he was never offered talks and was ready to stay behind bars for a long period, but at the same time he could guarantee that the PTI would win the upcoming general election.

He said he was afraid his opponent would run away from the election.

Imran Khan got the opportunity to speak with reporters when he was produced before the special court set up to hear the cypher case against Khan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi and others.

The court has decided to indict Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi on December 12 in the ciper case.

‘London Plan’

The former PTI chairman told the court that the plan for his downfall was hatched by Qamar Javed Bajwa at the instigation of the US Under Secretary Donald Lu and that he would drag the two to the court, a private-run TV channel reported.

Khan wants Bajwa and Lu to be summoned to the court, his counsel Babar Awan later told reporters.

Aaj News reported that during the informal engagement with journalists, Imran Khan was asked if he had held talks with anyone during his incarceration.

Khan said no one had met him nor had he engaged in talks with anyone.

He said he was ready to stay behind bars for a long time.

Imran Khan claimed the May 9 violence was part of the London plan. “You could review the CCTV footage. It will tell you who led them in [the Lahore Corp Commander House],” he said.

Imran Khan said his arrest was unconstitutional. After the May 9 incident, around 10,000 people were arrested in 48 hours, he said.

Imran Khan said that the ‘London Plan’ was meant to bring back Nawaz Sharif and throw ‘us’ in jails.

Khan also responded to questions about his marriage with Bushra Bibi and Khawar Maneka’s allegations. He said he could say on oath that he first looked at Bushra Bibi’s face on the day of their nikah.

Khan said he did not experience any anxiety in the jail and wanted to thank a few leaders who had left the PTI.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi also spoke with the reporters and said that he was steadfast in his support for the PTI.

Summoning former army chief, American ambassador

In his informal remarks to reporters, Khan also said that former Army Chief General (r) Qamar Javed Bajwa and American Ambassador Donald Blome should also be summoned to the cipher case hearing.

The remarks were confirmed by Babar Awan in his media talk outside the Adiala jail as well. He added that the ‘witch hunt’ in the cipher case was being carried out on the lines of the Agartala Conspiracy case.

Awan added that the PTI wanted international observers to witness the trial as well.