Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and deposed prime minister Imran Khan has underscored the importance of maintaining good relations with the military, deeming it “foolish” to ignore such ties.
In a written response to questions from Reuters, delivered from Adiala Jail where he will mark one year of imprisonment on August 5, Khan reiterated his stance on the crucial role of the military in Pakistan’s stability.
Imran Khan stressed the necessity of strengthening relations with the military, given Pakistan’s geopolitical significance and the military’s substantial involvement in the private sector. “Promoting better relations is not just wise but necessary,” he stated, emphasizing that his criticisms were aimed at specific military leaders and not the institution as a whole. “Misjudgments by military leadership should not be held against the institution,” he added.
Despite maintaining that the United States played a role in his ousting through a no-confidence vote in 2022, Khan expressed no personal grievances against the US.
Khan’s comments come amid escalating political tensions. On Wednesday, he proposed “conditional negotiations” with the military, contingent on the conduct of transparent elections and the withdrawal of what he described as “bogus” cases against PTI members. While he did not detail the terms for potential discussions, Khan emphasized his openness to any dialogue that could help alleviate Pakistan’s political and economic crises.
He asserted that engaging with those who wield actual power is more productive than negotiating with a government he views as illegitimate, highlighting his strategic approach to navigating the current political landscape.
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