Imprisoned former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, has reached out to the international community, notably the United States, urging reaffirmation of commitments to democracy, human rights, and regional stability amid Pakistan's deepening political turmoil.
In an article published in Time magazine, Khan extended congratulations to US President Donald Trump on his political resurgence. He expressed optimism that the US would actively engage with Pakistan to foster economic cooperation, promote stability, and mitigate conditions conducive to extremism and conflict.
While the authenticity of Khan’s authorship and how the article was delivered remain uncertain, the publication underscores his ongoing advocacy from incarceration.
Imran Khan Voices Concerns Over Democracy
Khan described the current situation as among Pakistan’s most challenging, highlighting the erosion of democratic norms. The ex-premier stated clearly that his imprisonment and related charges were politically driven attempts to suppress his advocacy for democratic governance.He emphasised that his fight transcends personal grievances, addressing broader democratic principles with implications extending beyond Pakistan to regional and global stability. Khan argued that given Pakistan’s strategic significance, addressing the current crisis is critical for international stability.
Criticism of Government on Counterterrorism
Further criticising the current Pakistani government, Khan accused it of prioritising political vendettas against his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), over essential counterterrorism initiatives. He highlighted regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which have experienced increased terrorist activities, alleging neglect in favour of military actions targeting political rivals.Moreover, Khan criticised the judiciary, alleging it had been reduced to a political instrument for persecution.
PTI’s Unpredictability Highlighted by Senator Siddiqui
Meanwhile, the unpredictability within PTI was underscored by Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, during a discussion on DawnNews TV’s show "Doosra Rukh". Siddiqui remarked that PTI’s actions were difficult to foresee, with the party simultaneously proposing political alliances and calling for civil disobedience. He also noted PTI’s frequent publishing of provocative articles, such as Khan’s recent piece in Time magazine.Describing talks with PTI as challenging, Siddiqui indicated that negotiations stalled abruptly upon Khan’s instruction. He narrated an incident where PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan met Imran Khan and subsequently ceased negotiations despite having days remaining to meet their demands.
The senator added that PTI often seemed unclear about its strategy until receiving direct instructions from Imran Khan, further complicating the negotiation process.
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