PTI chairman Imran Khan. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has wished for a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani before holding the All Parties Conference (APC) to know about Pakistan’s understanding with the United States on the issue of drone strikes and counter-terrorism.
“I again want to put forward my request for a closed door meeting (with Sharif and Kayani) to ascertain all the facts before a more public APC is held to formulate a holistic counter terror policy premised on facts, and not mere political rhetoric once again,” Khan said in a statement on Thursday.
Khan said that it was imperative for the present government to inform the political leaders about the nature of their understanding with the US.
“Is the IMF package part of the understanding with Pakistan in the War on Terror?” Khan asked.
He said that the people also wanted to know whether the military was on the same page as the civilian leadership, because no dialogue on counter terrorism can proceed successfully without this clarification.
“It is essential to know why the Interior Minister was 'shocked' to make this discovery. I therefore request for a closed door meeting to precede any APC,” Khan said.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali stated last month that the entire security apparatus along with security agencies had failed to curb terrorism in Balochistan.
The reason for the requested meeting was to simply get to the truth about the government and the military’s prevailing commitment with the US on its war on terror and drone attacks and the position of Intelligence Agencies on sectarian terrorism, Khan added.
“I realised that perhaps the facts cannot be stated in a large open forum like an APC because of national security, but at the same time it is essential for the political leaders to be apprised of these facts regarding the extent of the commitments still given to the US as well as the reasons behind the continuing sectarian terrorism.”
He said that the government has been refusing to take political leaders into confidence and have out rightly lied to the people.
This leads to truth coming out in leaked bits of news, either through Wikileaks and books written by US authors, as happened in the case of President Zardari’s covert assent to drones; or in statements like the one from Asfandyar Wali stating the US did not want the Awami National Party (ANP) to have a peace deal with the Swat Taliban, after the Swat military operation, he said.
On failure of the government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, he said that the province was bearing the brunt of the terror attacks.
He said that the provincial government could not effectively deal with the law and order situation and terrorism unless all major stakeholders were on board, he said.
The PTI Chairman said that three APCs had already taken place but since the previous government had continuously lied to Parliament and the people on the understanding with the US, nothing had been achieved beyond rhetoric encompassed resolutions that were discarded almost as soon as they were written.
The PTI Chairman had previously asked for a meeting between Premier Sharif and General Kayani two months ago.
COMMENTS (60)
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IK wishes to sort out the issue but response of our people is ridiculous.
If I remember corectly, Imran had been saying throughout his campaigns that he will not anything from the public , then what does thsi close door meeting for and that too with the two on the top.
Stupid people commenting here.What a sick nation we got!!!!
I Think he disuss about fake degree.....
@Bilal:
And what about the elephants?
Yeah way better than saving tigers since millions of Pakistanis did that on May 11,2013. And now the nation wants someone to save them from Tigers.
Why royal treatment for one man only and not for all the other imp leaders? Why do we have NA and Senate if we want to keep things secret in the new Pakistan? NA and Senate has committees to sort out imp matters and let there be a discussion on these issues. King Khan should stop thinking that sun only shines on him.
He is getting so dated.., he needs someone to tell him it's enough.. Get some other line to run on.
How many APCs we had in the past and what did we get out of those?you can have as many APCs as you like but it will not solve the problem. One can criticise IK for seeking a special treatment by asking a meeting between himself, NS and Army chief. His previous suggestion was more reasobale where he suggested that all CMs, PM, Army chief and ISI chief should meet behind the close door, come up with action plan and then take action.
That means he does not want to attend APC and wants to score full marks. May be Haroon Rasheed guided him doing like this.
I bet IK wants closed doors so that Nawaz doesnt get embarassed publicly.
Nawaz perefers back door meetings. Imran wants closed door meeting.
So much fascination with doors that windows must be envious.
You Scratch my Back, I'll Scratch Yours. Bravo Khan Saab
@asim: Why closed doors?
Coz in Ramazan they can't eat or drink in front of media :-)
@Honest Pakistan: So much hate is unhealthy.
@aaaaa: Such ignorance from you. He's talking about sensitive national security issues that must not be aired out in public.
If there is a secret deal with the US, why would Kiyani and Nawaz tell Imran, so he can tell the public and make himself look good ? Also, what further proof does Imran need after the Wiki leaks and the recent Abottabad Commission report in which Gen.(retd.) Pasha clearly stated that there is an understanding between US and Pakistan on drones and that its very hard for them to stop drone strikes. Clearly the military is on board. What more do you need Imran. You want them to spell it out to you ?
IK wants to go all EYE to EYE in closed room!!
Closed door meeting before APC ! Imran who has been against close door meetings and keeping the truth from public now asking for it himself. What a turnaround. What's the use of doing this APC drama then ? Nawaz, Kiyani or Imran, none of them have really been able to grasp the problem of terrorism and extremism in Pakistan and none of them have the clarity, vision and boldness to offer a practical solution. Politics as usual while the country further descends into chaos.
First IK left to England as the date of the APC was announced and now he is making another excuse for not attendind the APC. What is he? he is not even leader of the opposition to put such a demand. why only khan, kiyani and nawaz in the close door meeting??? why not other leaders? his narcissism is getting out of control!!!
right approach
The point IK was trying to make unless truth is shared with important players, any of APC is totally worthless! And that make sense.
Just for everyone's information, PTI got 7.8 million votes from all over the country. unlike N, PPP, MQM who got votes by rigging. Shame on these three parties. Does Altaf have the credibility to attend the APC, ANSWER IS NO. YES, somebody from PPP should be invited in this close door meeting with nawaz kyani and IK. but nobody else.
Tp all the PTI basher... and PPP jiyalas... Last time I show him Khursheed Shah had a long tongue and could speak very well. If he and other leaders are interested in knowing the security situation realities and army+US nexus then they should speak for it.
Don't expect others to do your job. If you can loot and plunder sure you can speak for yourself.
Why behind the closed door meeting.? Meeting should be arranged but an open one.Media must be invited for coverage.No secrecy.
@Nadir: Eye to Eye
@roadkashehzada:
hahaha..ouch. true but given his role in politics its understandable that his ego is getting the best of him.
Why only Imran? He has fewer seats than PPP. Why should Khursheed Shah not get the same chance? Why not others?
Yes the govt should come clear! Specially on the IMF package! They are consistently lying! Way to go Khan!
Why closed doors?
Imran khan is consiststently showin sighns of failure He wants a meeting oh ya we are busyi
Khan raises good questions but it's such a blatant publicity stunt he comes off as another lame politician.
IK is either too naieve, too simple minded, or just plain thick headed. IF there is an understanding with the US does he really believe that Kyani or NS will come out and tell him even in a closed door meeting? Does he think they trust him that he will not spill the beans? If he is really sincere about fact finding behind closed door then why make the desire known in public? I am not for NS or PPP but cannot believe the simple mindedness of IK. Someone also needs to remind him when he keeps repeating the war in Afgahistan in US war, that the Afghan war was manadated by the UN Security Council, and Pakistan being a memeber of the UN is bound legally to follow, especially when the perpetrators happen to be sitting in Pakistan's territory. IK should have stuck with cricket.
Imran Khan when will you grow up? Asfand YarWali said: "US did not want peace deal with Swat Taliban, after the Swat military operation" This is true and no secret. US Hilary Clinton openly expressed US concerns but the peace deal went through. The agreement was later broken by Taliban when they were asked to stop armed campaign and they replied, " No, weapon is the ornament of a man". US did not operated under cover to break the deal. It was the Taliban.
Good idea from IK! We all know that the public APC is going to be full of rubbish political rhetoric with nothing accomplished because the parties have the media overlooking them. PTI and PML-N are the largest parties in Pakistan. Getting these two parties on board with the military in a productive meeting is what we need. Good job IK!
@Qureshi: Your comment utters shear nonsense. what do you mean an eltie club? He wants the meeting with the PM, the CM's of all provinces and the head of the military. And what rivals are you talking about? Here we are trying to get together to form a national policy, everyone has agreed to cooperate when it comes to this issue and you are assuming ill intent. If you have a better idea please to go ahead and tell me because there have already been three APCs and they have all resulted in nothing substantial. If you want to live in this terror ridden country and criticize for the sake of criticizing than I might have to agree with the people that say, "iss mulk ka kuch nahi ho sakta." Think about your country first and then about your political allegiance. Don't jump on the PTI/IK haters bandwagon, it wont stay "cool" forever.
imrans arrogance.
why have it closed door? shouldn't the public know?
while you have bullet proof land cruisers( LEE 1 ) and live in estates which span over 300 kanals, apart from residing in the comfort of England at your EX-wifes palaces, it is the Pakistanis on the front line who are dying and who deserve to know.
ps: you said to the previous government "if you cant control terrorist attacks, then QUIT".
now Burger PTI, if you guys cannot control electricity theft in KPK, land grabbing and terrorism, please QUIT.
Why not invite PPP leadership too in that closing meeting Mr IK? PTI is third largest party and keeping PPP out of loop is not good omen for federation. PM already takes CM Punjab in every meeting including national security but CM Sindh is left out. National security must include all major political parties and fair input from all provincial governments. CCI is a main institution of interaction among provinces, but it is still not made active. All federal ministries coming in conflict with provincial ministries should also be abolished. Provinces are not post offices to deliver center's orders, plz empower them with their due rights as per 18the amendment. On all major ministeries, there is no minister from smaller provinces.Justice is only way towards a unified and strong Pakistan.
What if denied? which is more likely the answer. So IK will not join the APC?
Right approach Mr. Khan.
Why he always act like a stubborn child? He wants himself to be treated as he is above the rest. That is the purpose of APC to discuss things which he de-prioritized to save white elephants while getting more arrogant and proud with every passing day!
Yes - the others dont matter - Just me. Since I have connections with Great Britain's Royal Family and can have a photo session with them, I think I am way too aristocratic to not have special sessions with the country's PM, while the others can rely on the "public" session.
Why should the two Takht-e-Lahore parties be allowed to settle among themselves to the exclusion of others?
Why does he always sound so right?!?!?
Not a bad idea to be briefed but am not quite sure if Imran's confusion will be cleared after the closed door briefing. Facts, Ideology and Reality do not make good partners.
Yes. I am too special - so I should have a closed door meeting with the PM and no one else ( even though I am not leader of the opposition and nor am I KP's CM).
That would be great...IA the sincerity of politicians will bring something positive...
Take all the major stake holders in confidence and then move ahead for APC
This suggestion is ridiculous. What is this? A elite club deciding the security fate of this country? If indeed it has to be a closed door meeting, then it should involve the army and all stakeholders. IK wants a closed door meeting because he is going to target his rivals in the meeting.
No lift.
Very wise and appreciable advise by Imran Khan. First let the all powerful military and the elected PM come into alignment, otherwise everything will go down the drain, as is going on for the last sixty years.
Khan sahib tension not PML-N still dont know what to do in the APC they are having siri pay in raiwand
I do not understand what Imran and Nawaz would say Kayani, because for first two it is not our war. How will they persuade Kayani. Would be interesting meeting.
Yeah !
And I need a bicycle for Eid gift.
The wishlist can go on and on and on....
I really doubt the MNS will agree to this you know with his allergies from speaking the truth and all. If the US claims that the drone strikes happen with the consent of the Pakistani govt and if there have been three drone strikes during MNS's govt what are we to conclude?
"He said that the provincial government could not effectively deal with the law and order situation and terrorism unless all major stakeholders were on board, he said." Instead solving problems at home now he is distracting the attention on other issue. First control the terrorist activities in KPK then demand some thing else. By now he must be knowing slogan raising while sitting out side is very easy and when his neck is harnessed to the rein of governance how difficult it is to deliver the goods.
imran is not opposition leader, his party is third largest (not even 2nd largest),his party got 30% seats in KPK where he formed his government by help of other parties. he little political career is full of contradictory statements and U turns. he is been the least speaking member of national assembly of 2002. wht is his capacity to put these conditions? just because he can pull crowd which wasnt translated to election victory? we just had election and if crowd pullers are supposed to be top leaders then we would have government of jamat islami for 68 yrs. the statement just shows his ego and attraction seeking nature.
And what about the elephants?
Ah yes, change from the past, more closed door meetings so that IK can look Kayani in the EYE!