Writing letter to army chief for nation’s sake: Imran

Ex-PM asks why PTI’s pleas on May 9 mayhem and Feb 8 polls not being heard

RAWALPINDI:

PTI founding chairman and former premier Imran Khan on Friday said he would write a letter to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir not for his personal gains but for the sake of the country.

During an informal talk with media at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail during the hearing of the £190 million scandal case, Imran noted that Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa was a courageous person.

However, he questioned why the petitions of the PTI about the May 9 events and the February 8 elections were not being heard.

"We want our trial conducted like the trials of [PML-N supremo] Nawaz Sharif, [President] Asif Ali Zardari and [Senate Chairman] Yousuf Raza Gilani were held.”

Imran regretted that his Supreme Court appearance was not broadcast live.

"I was eager to speak during the hearing," he added.

"I hope my next appearance will be broadcast live."

He further said the PTI would file references against both the judges, who had handed down sentences in the Iddat and cipher cases.

Read Bushra retracts ‘no-confidence’ on judge during £190 million case hearing

The PTI founding chairman claimed that the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa governor, who was a beneficiary of Form-47, was launching personal attacks at the province’s chief minister.

He said when the “beneficiaries” of Form-47 started pressuring the judges and the media when they were questioned.

"Form-47 beneficiaries are attacking Justice Babar Sattar," he maintained. "All are trying to keep an artificial democracy running.”

Imran further claimed that they had dissolved the Punjab and K-P assemblies to avoid pressure from the intelligence agencies.

"After the [former] interim PM's statement, what justification does this government have?" he asked.

"[Anwaarul Haq] Kakar sent a message to [PM] Shehbaz Sharif by taunting [PML-N leader] Hanif Abbasi."

Imran maintained that a “controlled” government was formed in Balochistan and that was stepping up the “independence” movement.

The former premier said if PTI senior leaders Pervaiz Elahi and Shah Mahmood Qureshi quit the party today, they would be released. On talks with the government, Imran said there was no point in negotiating with those who had no power.

When asked about his wife Bushra Bibi's medical test, the PTI founding chairman said he did not trust the PIMS hospital's reports. "We suggested taking two blood samples, one for PIMS and one for Shaukat Khanum. I don't trust PIMS reports.

They previously claimed my blood had cocaine. I sued them for that."

He added that his wife had also asked for samples to be sent to both the laboratories. “The medical staff refused, so she didn't give the samples.”

Reiterating his plan to write to the army chief, Imran said inform him about what was happening in Azad Jammu Kashmir and they must think about the country’s direction.

“The army and the people should not be brought face to face.”