Imran Khan’s Attempt to Engage with the Military Rejected
LONDON: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has reportedly offered to cut a deal with Pakistan’s military leadership, but senior military sources have dismissed the idea. According to The Guardian, Khan’s proposal was rejected by the military, which has no plans to negotiate with the imprisoned Founder of PTI.
This development comes ahead of his party’s planned protest on November 24. His party has dubbed this protest as a “final call,” following a series of earlier protests that failed to meet their objectives due to government crackdowns and road blockades.
Imran Khan’s Desire for Dialogue with the Military
In an interview with The Guardian, Imran Khan confirmed that he had expressed his willingness to engage with the military from his prison cell. Despite previously accusing the military of orchestrating his ousting and imprisonment in August of last year, Khan indicated he was still open to negotiations with the establishment.
While many media outlets have interviewed Khan by sending him questions in prison, this interview provided more insight into his stance. He emphasized that he had not directly communicated with the military since his arrest but was still eager to open channels of dialogue, even if his imprisonment had created a significant barrier.
Military Rejects Talks with Imran Khan
However, senior military officials have remained firm in their decision not to engage in talks with the former prime minister. According to sources within the military leadership, Khan has been pressing for discussions over the past few months. He reportedly offered “unconditional” talks in a bid to secure a deal for his release.
Nevertheless, military sources told The Guardian that there will be no negotiations. One senior official made it clear that Khan must face the legal cases against him. “He advocates for the rule of law, but he does not seem to want it applied to himself,” the military source said. This comment underscores the military’s position that Khan must address his legal challenges in court before any further discussions take place.
