Former prime minister Imran Khan has ruled out any support to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, days after scion of the Bhutto dynasty urged PTI workers to support his party in the general elections on February 8.
“We will not help Bilawal at any cost,” he told reporters in an informal conversation after hearing multiple cases at the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Thursday. “If he needs help, he should ask those with whom he ruled for 16 months. Today, they have become opponents, but they are the same.”
Khan has been behind bars since August 5, 2023, when he was sentenced by an accountability court in Islamabad in the Toshakhana case. But he has been facing several cases, including cypher, 190£ million pounds, and events related to May 9.
Elections are scheduled to be held next month in Pakistan, with human rights watchdog in the country expressing concerns about the lack of a level playing field granted to certain political parties in the run-up to the polls.
“This is not politics, but a freedom movement,” he said while responding to reporters’ query.
In an apparent reference to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, the PTI founder said that an absconder was being given VIP protocol.
He went on to add that his former principal secretary, who is one of the witnesses in the cypher case against him, was kidnapped for 40 days and the ex-husband of his wife Bushra Bibi was being pressurised.
The former PM alleged that the media was being completely controlled—a similar kind of accusation was made against by his opposition when he was in power.
“Attempts are being made to crush our party after May 25, 2023,” Khan said.
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When asked, the incarcerated political leader reiterated his accusations against former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa. He accused Bajwa of requesting for giving a National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) to his political opponents after getting an extension.
“I won’t talk to anyone for power,” he said and added that Awami Muslim League leader Sheikh Rasheed was not supported because of addressing a press conference.
“I am ready for talks for free and fair elections,” Khan said and lamented that an open trial of his cases was not being conducted.
“I call for dialogue with the establishment because they have all the control,” he said, “I have never said that I don’t hold dialogue with politicians.” The PTI founder went on to add that election survey would only be effective, if his party was on the field.
The PTI has called on its supporters to turn up on Sunday for the election campaign, he added.
He wondered about the reason for supporting the PPP, saying that a political alliance could only be made with the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam faction led by former MNA Muhammad Khan Sherani.
While hearing the 190£ million pound case, Khan asked the judge that the cases of Sharif and Zardari should also be heard daily.
The case was heard by accountability court judge Muhammad Bashir. The PTI founder told the judge that Sharif and Zardari were given a date of February 13 in the Toshakhana while he was facing a new case every day.
The prosecutor said that their witnesses were yet to appear and they had to be cross-examined. He urged the court to adjourn the hearing till tomorrow (Friday) while the lawyers from the complainant prayed the court to adjourn the hearing till January 30.
Khan requested the court to allow him to consult his lawyers. He added that there was tight security inside the jail and not even a paper was allowed.
But Prosecutor Amjad Parvez objected to this, saying that there was not tight security outside.
Later, the court adjourned the hearing of the case till January 30 while the accused were also provided with copies of the challan. February 6 was fixed for the indictment.
