Imran ties apology to video evidence

PTI founder asserts respect a two-way street

RAWALPINDI:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran has offered a conditional apology for the May 9 incident if CCTV footage proves that his party workers were involved, promising to 'clean house' by expelling and punishing the guilty.

However, the former prime minister asserted that respect was a two-way street, demanding an apology first. Cautioning that "something big" was on the horizon after the recent unrest in Bangladesh and the subsequent ouster of its prime minister, Imran urged the government to put his name and those of Nawaz Sharif, Asif Zardari, Shehbaz Sharif, and Mohsin Naqvi on the Exit Control List (ECL).

"Just as Hasina Wajid fled the country, I fear Nawaz Sharif, Asif Zardari, and Shehbaz Sharif might do the same. After the Bangladesh incident, I sense something big is about to happen in the country," he claimed.

In an informal conversation with journalists at Adiala Jail, the PTI founder said, "The DG ISPR maintains his stance on the May 9 apology, but we will not forgive either. Our people were tortured, and the party was not allowed to contest elections."

Reiterating grievances regarding the crackdown on his party since the riots, Imran stated that his party has been the victim of May 9. "We are the real victims of May 9 and we demand justice."

"If you cannot forget May 9, we cannot forget either. If you demand respect, I demand the same. Apologise to me first," he demanded, adding that if there was evidence, why was it still under wraps.

In response to a question about the DG ISPR's press conference in which an apology was sought from him, he said, "I did not apologise because I did nothing wrong. They turned a peaceful protest into an act of terrorism. I am not like a police officer from Muzaffargarh to be beaten up and then have my IG apologise."

The incarcerated leader further stated that had he feared May 9, he would not have called for a judicial commission. "The Supreme Court deemed my kidnapping illegal," he added.

Defending his criticisms of the military, the former prime minister asked why was the ISPR's dignity untouchable, but a party head's is not. "Apologise to me for my kidnapping."

When asked by a journalist if PTI members were seen in the May 9 incidents, he replied, "That's why I am asking for the CCTV footage to see who was involved."

In response to a question about PTI members carrying petrol bombs, clarified that, "We used petrol bombs only at Zaman Park in Lahore, nowhere else."

When told that PTI officials in Rawalpindi were seen throwing petrol bombs at sensitive buildings, he said, "If any official is involved in such acts, they will face severe punishment."

He criticised the ISPR for accusing mafias of funding anti-Pakistan campaigns, saying, "You told us stories of Nawaz Sharif and Zardari's corruption and then rigged the elections to impose them on us."

"The army is a national institution, and its protection is our responsibility."

Citing the military's restraint during Bangladesh's unrest, Imran pointed out that Hasina Wajid appointed her preferred army chief yet he refused to shoot his own people during the anti-government protests.

"The situation in Pakistan is worse than in Bangladesh, with higher inflation and unemployment. We do not want chaos in the country. I am ready to talk for the country's sake."

Expressing concerns, he added, "Just as Hasina Wajid fled the country, I fear Nawaz Sharif, Asif Zardari, and Shehbaz Sharif might do the same. I demand that their names, along with mine and Mohsin Naqvi's, be placed on the ECL to prevent their escape."

Regarding his call for a protest on February 8, he said, "I didn't call for it because it becomes difficult to control the public."

Imran lamented that Pakistan's economy was already in ruins, asserting that if no one wanted to engage with PTI, the party wouldn't talk with them either.

"On May 9, 16 of our people were martyred, three lost their legs, and one was paralyzed. You claim 16 were martyred and several were paralysed, but PTI has not released the details. We have provided financial assistance to the affected workers, but police pressured them to stay silent," Imran stated.

When asked if he still considered Sheikh Mujibur Rahman a hero despite the recent actions in Bangladeshis, he said, "My statements about Sheikh Mujib were based on the findings of the Hamoodur Rahman Commission, not my own opinion."

When questioned about PTI members like Shehbaz Gill, Murad Saeed, Qasim Suri, Farah Gogi, and Ahsan Jamil Gujjar fleeing the country, he said, "We are not afraid of courts; it's the lack of trials and the presence of abductions that scare us. Cases are filed against my wife's brother, my sisters, and my nephews."

"They don't arrest people; they kidnap them," he added.

When asked about the status of Sher Afzal Marwat in PTI, he left without answering.