Lahore, January 4: Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, who is currently imprisoned, has revealed that he was presented with an option for exile lasting three years but chose to decline the offer. In a statement on X this past Friday, the 72-year-old ex-cricketer and politician stated, “While in Attock Jail, I was given the chance to go into exile for three years, but I will live and die in Pakistan.” During a media interaction at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where he has been held since August 2023, Khan mentioned that he was “indirectly approached” regarding a potential transfer to his residence in Bani Gala, Islamabad.
Nevertheless, he reiterated his refusal of the offer on X, emphasizing, “My position is straightforward: release my detained workers and leaders first. Only then will I entertain discussions about my personal circumstances.” The founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party also asserted that he believes decisions affecting Pakistan should be made domestically.
“Nonetheless, when fundamental human rights are at stake, global voices will inevitably emerge. Institutions like the United Nations exist for this purpose, and enlightened individuals worldwide will denounce violations of basic rights,” Khan noted. He remarked that during this “authoritarian era,” the infringement of personal freedoms, breach of legal rights, and disintegration of institutions have significantly disrupted the nation’s social and political structures, as well as its legal and economic systems.
Khan criticized the recently imposed 34-year sentence on Khalid Khurshid, the former Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, stating it exemplifies the absence of rule of law in Pakistan and the presence of a severe undeclared dictatorship. “Even during Musharraf’s regime, we spoke out against military interference, yet we never experienced such oppression and fascism,” he added.
Addressing rumors that a forthcoming Trump administration might urge the Shehbaz Sharif government for his release, Khan expressed skepticism: “I expect Trump to take a neutral stance, unlike Biden, who, as everyone knows, influenced by General Bajwa, was instrumental in ousting our government through a vote of no confidence—an obvious interference.”
On the dialogue between his party and the government, Khan shared that “our negotiation committee is in discussions with the government. Our demands are legitimate—including the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the events of November 26, 2024, and May 9, 2023, along with the release of political prisoners.” He referred to the May 9 protests, during which Khan’s supporters allegedly attacked military sites in response to his arrest in a corruption case.
He further challenged the validity of statements made by the Director General of the ISPR (the army’s media wing) concerning the events of May 9. “Those responsible for the CCTV footage theft orchestrated the May 9 attacks on state and military facilities. Verdicts in these cases were extracted from military courts, as no one would demand the CCTV footage there. Our supporters faced direct gunfire and were martyred on November 26. The complete truth will only emerge from transparent investigations into these two incidents.”
“We have issued a deadline to the government of January 31. In the meantime, our campaign to boycott remittances will continue alongside negotiations. This boycott can be reconsidered if the government demonstrates a genuine commitment to addressing our demands,” Khan declared.
The second round of discussions between the government and PTI representatives concluded on Thursday, with both sides agreeing to reconvene the following week in a bid to alleviate the ongoing political strife and instability in the country. (Agencies)
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