PTI founding chairman and former premier Imran Khan on Friday claimed that if the opposition held negotiations with the ruling PML-N, it could result in the downfall of its government.
During an informal media interaction at the hearing of the £190 million reference case, the incarcerated former premier reiterated his desire to negotiate for Pakistan’s benefit, not for personal or government’s interests.
“Convince me it benefits the country, and I will step back,” he added.
The PTI founding chairman said that negotiations did not happen like this.
He continued that they had allowed Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the chief of the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), to hold talks with the ruling coalition.
“If he [Achakzai] comes with an offer, then he will think of negotiating.”
The former premier criticised the government for not reducing expenses and failing to create an investment-friendly environment.
“The country is in a state of crisis. The government has not reduced its expenses and that is troubling. The government has failed to create an environment for investment.”
Imran argued that the country needed a mandate-driven government for the necessary reforms.
He continued that the current budget highlighted the limitations of a government that lacked mandate.
The PTI founding chairman condemned the heavy taxation – proposed in the budget for the next fiscal year – on the people, particularly the salaried class.
He predicted that the upcoming electricity bills would severely affect the people.
“The people have lost their ability to purchase. They will take to the streets.”
Imran maintained that legislation had been carried out that prevented any method to curb the illegal smuggling of currency abroad.
The PTI founding chairman lamented the broken promises on power outages in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, where prolonged electricity cuts were under way.
He added that the people of K-P were blaming the province’s Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur for the power outages.
The former premier criticised the ongoing issue of electricity theft in various regions, questioning where the people should turn to for solutions.
“Electricity theft is an old issue. It happens in Hyderabad, Sindh, and Quetta as well.”
Imran pointed out the lack of unity within political parties and criticised Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for extravagant spending on self-promotion.
He announced plans to file cases against major and colonel officials in Adiala Jail, accusing Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal of contempt of court for suggesting that he should be jailed for five years.
The PTI founding chairman questioned the rule of law, criticising recent judicial and administrative actions.
He also criticised amendments to the country’s accountability law, alleging they were made to conceal corruption.
“How can someone, who conducted fraudulent elections, deliver justice?”
Imran warned that further borrowing would be needed to pay off the national debt and urged the judiciary to support the weak rather than the powerful.
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