Paying price for saying ‘absolutely not’: Imran
Former prime minister Imran Khan, gestures as he speaks to the members of the media at his residence in Lahore May 18, 2023. PHOTO: REUTERS
Incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan’s lawyer, Naeem Haider Panjutha, quoted his client as saying that he was paying the price for unequivocally stating “absolutely not”.
In an interview with Jonathan Swan of 'Axios on HBO' in 2021, Imran, who was prime minister at that time, had said that Pakistan would "absolutely not" allow any bases and use of its territory for any sort of action inside Afghanistan.
"Absolutely not. There is no way we are going to allow any bases, any sort of action from Pakistani territory into Afghanistan. Absolutely not," he had said.
The term attained iconic status, emerging as a talking point among his supporters, particularly in the realm of social media discussions.
“May only fault is saying absolutely not. I was told that I would be charged under the Official Secrets Act, but I stood my ground for genuine freedom,” Panjutha quoted Imran as saying after meeting him in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.
Panjootha shared details of his conversation with Imran Khan, quoting the PTI leader as saying that small thieves do not face any punishment, while big thieves are given a clean chit.
“There is no case against those who conspired. In contrast, the one who exposed the conspiracy is being punished,” he added.
Imran said that Aun Chaudhry, a former close confidante, is being presented as a witness. “The people who are trying to keep us away from elections are being presented as witnesses. What significance does such a testimony hold,” he questioned.
On Toshakhana case, Imran was quoted as saying: "Our requests related to the Toshakhana case have been pending in the high court for 12 months. Neither are our requests being withdrawn nor are the cases proceeding."
Imran Khan said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif has effectively ended his political career.
On May 9 case, the former prime minister was quoted as saying that why the CCTV footage of Islamabad High Court and Judicial Complex is not being presented, demanding that the event of May 9 should be thoroughly investigated.