Incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan has allegedly expressed his willingness to cut a deal with the establishment, however, the military has declined, The Guardian reported on Friday.
The purported statements come more than a week before the party’s decision to protest on November 24 for the “restoration” of democracy and the judiciary.
His party has described it as a “final call” after a series of protests where, according to many, the party failed to achieve their objectives amid the government’s crackdown and road blockades.
In an interview with the English newspaper, the incarcerated former prime minister reiterated his willingness to engage with military leadership from his jail cell.
Khan is being held at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail and is prohibited from meeting with journalists. But in the recent past, many media outlets have conducted his interview by sending him questions. Like he gave one to Zeteo. The Guardian claimed that it also posed questions through his legal representatives.
In his responses, the cricketer-turned-politician told the newspaper that he has had no direct contact with the military since his arrest and imprisonment in August of last year. Despite previously accusing the military of orchestrating his ousting and confinement, he indicated that he would not dismiss the possibility of negotiating with the military establishment.
The ex-prime minister stated that any potential deal with the military would prioritise “principles” and the interests of the people, rather than personal benefit or compromises that could undermine the country’s democratic values.
“I would rather live the rest of my life in prison than compromise on my principles,” he said.
The military has no plans to negotiate or reach an agreement with incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan, The Guardian reported while citing senior military sources.
The newspaper claimed that sources within the senior military leadership stated that the former prime minister has been pressing for discussions with the military over the past few months, offering “unconditional” talks in hopes of securing a deal for his release.
But military officials remained firm in their decision not to engage in any negotiations with Khan. One military source stated, “Khan must confront the court cases against him and cannot expect any deals from the military. While he advocates for the rule of law, he does not seem to want it applied to himself.”
Khan has concerns over his possible trial in the military court, alleging that the government would conduct his military trial after bail in several cases.
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“How can any civilian ever be tried in a military court, let alone a former prime minister?” said Khan, “it’s ludicrous. The only reason to try a civilian in military court is simply because no other court of justice would convict me. The very idea of it is alarming.”
Khan is hopeful that he would get justice and would “have the opportunity to serve as prime minister again if that is the will of the people”.
There has been no comment on the English news outlet’s report either from the government or the military.
