Former prime minister Imran Khan has slammed those who claim to uphold democracy, saying that they have “bowed before authority.”

“Guinness Book of World Records will soon include two new entries, one of which will highlight the contradiction in the slogan ‘vote ko izzat do’ where authority has been prioritised over democratic values,” he told reporters in an informal conversation at the Adiala Jail on Monday.

“The second entry would be about Nawaz Sharif, who, despite aligning with all four umpires, still lost. He did not allow another party to participate in the match. 74,000 votes were cast to ensure Nawaz Sharif’s victory.”

Khan has been incarcerated for more than a year, facing cases related to graft and the May 9 events. The former prime minister has claimed that such cases are politically motivated, but the government has denied such allegations.

He claimed that PML-N leader Khawaja Asif has been particularly harsh in his criticism of the military and that Ahsan Iqbal was the first to reference the Hamoodur Rahman Commission report, alleging that the military acts as a “state within a state.” Iqbal had also warned that Pakistan was at “risk of becoming another Myanmar,” according to Khan.

The PTI founder went on to add that whenever negotiations are discussed, the government raises the issue of the May 9 events, calling it their “insurance policy.” He added that if the focus on May 9 ends, both the government and their “political careers would be over.”

Khan proposed the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 incidents. He alleged that the order for his abduction and the disappearance of CCTV footage was part of a conspiracy linked to such events.

While speaking about negotiations, Khan stated that opposition alliance head Mahmood Khan Achakzai was holding talks with the government. He expressed his readiness for dialogue but emphasized that discussions would only occur with “those who hold real power and who brought the current government into place and negotiating with the government would mean acknowledging their electoral deceit.”

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The former prime minister outlined three key objectives for the upcoming rally on September 8. He stated that the first goal was to “reclaim the stolen mandate” for the PTI, the second was to “free the country from land-grabbers,” and the third was to “establish an independent judiciary.” He claimed that there was an “ongoing attack on the judiciary” to bring Justice Qazi Faez Isa into power.

Khan said that becoming the chancellor of Oxford University would be an “honour for Pakistan.” According to the PTI founder, even if he does not achieve the position, he remains proud of his accomplishments, claiming that no one in Pakistan’s cricket history has reached the heights he has.