Abbasi says Imran could file treason case against Bajwa

PML-N leader says ‘concerning’ if PM or his finance minister asking the army to quash their cases

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Saturday said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan could pursue his “high treason” claims in the court under Article 6 against former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Abbasi expressed his views on a private news channel programme in the backdrop of Imran’s a day earlier remarks against Bajwa. Imran Khan had called for internal inquiry against the former COAS, claiming that he “admitted” his involvement in PTI’s ouster.

The general’s version was published in a column by Javed Chaudhry recently, in which he termed the PTI “dangerous for the country” and alleged that the graft cases against Imran-era finance minister Shaukat Tarin were quashed with then-DG ISI Faiz Hameed’s assistance.

“If Imran Khan thinks the Constitution was violated, he should file an Article 6 petition,” Abbasi said, adding: “It is his right.”

He added that Bajwa said that Imran Khan was given support to “complete his numbers”.

“If investigations are to be conducted then it should be against everyone and we must go back to 1947 to hold probe from the start. If the PM or his finance minister is asking the army to quash their cases, this is concerning.”

“When he became a part of the process, then he is equally responsible as others. He also got support in completing his numbers in the confidence vote. The probe must be held into it but inquiries are not held this way. The army and the government have their own systems. The request Imran is making pertains to Article 6, hence he should file a petition.”

He was of the view that Imran made so many accusations that which allegation should be taken seriously.

Responding to a question, PML-N leader said, “I don’t think and I don’t have any information that someone violated the Constitution. Imran believes it; hence he should file a plea.”

He said whoever got illegitimate support was wrong. Abbasi alleged that political parties did not want to go along with Imran, however, he claimed “Bajwa sahib asked them to support the PTI chief in the confidence vote.”