“If you have a clean cabinet, half the battle is over,” said Khan when asked about how he would end corruption and militancy in Pakistan in 90 days, as he had previously claimed.
Khan stated that all major corruption cases in Pakistan were related to the prime minister, the president or senior cabinet members.
He said that if his party is brought to power, he would remove these politicians and maintain his guarantee to rid Pakistan of corruption and militancy in 90 days.
Khan criticises US presence in Afghanistan
When asked about how a Mitt Romney win would affect relations between Pakistan and the US, Khan replied, “At the moment, we’re not sure. Both candidates seem to have the same attitude to this war on terror.”
He hoped that if Obama wins, he will strive towards his instinct for peace as he will no longer be concerned with reelection. He reiterated that there was no military solution in this part of the world and that the US should make a concerted effort for peace.
'Pakistan must disengage'
Khan insisted that Pakistan must disengage from the US war on terror. “Either the US leaves [Afghanistan], or Pakistan must disengage.”
According to Khan, this would allow Pakistan to mobilise the people of the tribal areas, who he suggests hold the key to a peaceful solution.
The war on terror is perceived by the Pashtun people to be a war on Islam, Khan stated, and that Pakistan’s support of the war makes it appear as an accessory to this.
He also condemned suicide bombers’ targeting the Pakistani army.
The interview was conducted by Dareen Abughaida through a video link from Islamabad.
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