Imran calls for slamming ‘erosion of democratic values’

Ex-PM says he and PTI being ‘strategically excluded’ from electoral process

LAHORE:

PTI founding chairman and deposed premier Imran Khan on Sunday urged all the advocates of peace to align with his cause and denounce the ongoing “erosion of democratic values and legal norms” taking place in the country.

Delivering his message via an artificial intelligence-recorded voice for the PTI’s first international virtual convention titled ‘Imran Khan and The World’, the former premier stressed the need for a democratic government – operating within the parameters of the rule of law and Constitution –  to confront the country’s internal and external challenges as well as the prevailing economic crisis.

Highlighting the aftermath of his removal from office, Imran decried a series of crackdowns on his party members and leaders, particularly intensifying after a “false flag operation” on May 9 last year.

With over 200 legal cases against him and enduring more than 180 days of incarceration, the PTI founding chairman lamented the “unjust” detention of female party activists, many of whom were mothers and housewives.

He described the scale and nature of the state's “assault” on women as “unprecedented” in the nation's history. Furthermore, Imran contended that as part of a “larger scheme devised in London”, he and his party were being “strategically excluded” from the electoral process.

When faced with setbacks, a “flawed” judicial process resulted in the revocation of the PTI’s electoral symbol, he claimed. The PTI founding chairman said this move had compelled the party’s candidates to contest as independents under several different symbols.

Underscoring the adverse impact of persistent political turmoil on Pakistan's economy and diplomatic relations, Imran recalled about his administration's foreign policy based on regional economic connectivity.

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He emphasised his government’s “vigorous” efforts to engage with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) states, Russia, and a renewed alliance with China.

Imran also highlighted his administration's facilitative measures to foster closer ties between Iran, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia. Starting his address with condemnation of Israel's assault on Gaza, Imran described it as the genocide of the Palestinian people.

He cautioned against the escalating international crises, citing disturbances in maritime waters and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Reflecting on Pakistan's internal strife, the former premier accused the state machinery of bending the law and Constitution to thwart his political participation, attributing this course of action to the “discontent” of the ‘powerful circles’ with his pursuit of an independent foreign policy.

Recalling losses incurred in Pakistan's collaboration with the US’s "war on terror”, Imran reiterated his commitment to not serve as a proxy for wars and emphasised the importance of a principled stance against Islamophobia.

Addressing the significance of Kashmir in Pakistan's foreign policy, Imran claimed that his government took a resolute stance despite external pressures. He added that the withdrawal of Pakistan's ambassador to New Delhi was a clear message that normal ties with India depended on the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

The convention featured contributions from political, constitutional, and academic experts including Sami Hamdi, Turgey Evren, Dr Moben Shah, Prof Khaled Beydoun, and Ryan Grim. Most speakers agreed that even though the western countries spoke a great deal about human rights and freedom of expression, they were only after power in states around the world.