Imran Khan: Dialogue Only with Power Holders

Imran Khan, Pakistan's former prime minister, has stated that any dialogue would be held with those who wield actual power in the country. Addressing journalists in jail, Khan discussed various topics including the upcoming budget, dialogue with political parties, and the role of the army in elections.

Imran Khan, the jailed former prime minister of Pakistan, declared on Friday that any dialogue would only be held with individuals who wield real power in the country.

The PTI founder shared these sentiments during an informal conversation with journalists at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, following a hearing for the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case.

'We will talk with those who have power. They (parties in the government) do not have power,' stated the 71-year-old leader. He further alleged that during a meeting about the Punjab election on May 14, 2023, members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) conveyed that Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir had opposed holding the election.

Khan emphasized the influential role of the Pakistan Army, which has governed the country for a significant portion of its history, especially in matters of security and foreign policy.

In response to a journalist's point about the Supreme Court advising him to negotiate with political parties, Khan stated he did not negotiate with then-Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz during the Musharraf era and only communicated with Musharraf's representative.

He also touched on the pressure faced by former Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial in enforcing timely elections, criticized the current economic instability, and lamented his prison conditions compared to other political figures.