Jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who attributes his ouster and ongoing imprisonment to what he calls politically motivated charges, said on Sunday that maintaining “excellent” relations with the military would be “foolish to ignore.” In written responses to Reuters, Khan emphasized the strategic importance of fostering ties with the military, given Pakistan’s geopolitical position and the military’s significant role in the private sector.
As he approaches the anniversary of his imprisonment on various charges, including corruption and leaking state secrets, Khan clarified that his criticisms have been aimed at individuals rather than the military institution itself. He stated that any mistakes by military leadership should not tarnish the entire institution.
Also Read: Imran Khan: Not Having Excellent Military Relations Would Be Foolish
Khan has proposed “conditional negotiations” with the military, contingent upon “clean and transparent” elections and the dismissal of “bogus” cases against his supporters. However, he did not specify what topics he would want to discuss with the military. Both the military and the government have denied his allegations, and the United States has also denied any involvement in his ouster.
The former cricket star, who was removed from power by a parliamentary vote of no confidence, has accused the military of supporting politically motivated cases against him. Despite this, he expressed willingness to engage with military leaders if released from jail and if he seeks to return to power. He believes it would be “more productive” to engage with those who hold actual power rather than the current coalition government, which he claims lacks public support.
Khan and his party have been accused of instigating attacks on military installations last year. His imprisonment has intensified Pakistan’s political volatility and economic crisis. Last month, Pakistan received a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has imposed stringent fiscal consolidation measures, including heavy taxes. The IMF has emphasized the need for political stability to stabilize and recover the $350 billion economy.
Khan has rejected the idea of an out-of-court settlement with the government or military unless they acknowledge his party’s majority win in February’s election, which he describes as the most rigged in Pakistan’s history.
