Imran Khan says he will consider national reconciliation without accountability for elections

Islamabad (Pakistan), August 27 (ANI): Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan and Punjab, pinning the blame on a specific institution. Speaking to reporters after the hearing in a ₹190 million corruption case at Adiala Jail, Khan said his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), would consider national reconciliation only if its grievances were addressed, Dawn News reported.

Khan stressed that national reconciliation is impossible without holding those responsible for what he called a “fraudulent general election” accountable. He also commented on Pakistan’s recent defeat to Bangladesh in the first match of a two-Test series, expressing disappointment at the state of cricket under the current administration.

Khan criticised Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi, accusing him of incompetence and claiming that Naqvi owns a property worth $5 million in Dubai in his wife’s name. He also linked Naqvi to the wheat scandal and election fraud during his tenure as the interim chief minister of Punjab.

The former prime minister criticised the current government for its failure to implement reforms, control expenditure and increase revenue. He argued that only a government with a real mandate could implement these necessary changes.

Khan claimed that multinational companies and professionals are leaving Pakistan due to the deteriorating situation, and those who criticise the authorities are being branded as “digital terrorists”, Dawn News reported.

Khan also denied having any contact with the facility and described the harsh conditions he endured while in detention, including being held in a hot, humid cell. He insisted he had not requested any special treatment.

Monday’s hearing saw the cross-examination of a prosecution witness, the investigating officer, remain incomplete for the tenth time. Accountability Court Judge Nasir Javed Rana expressed frustration over the delay, noting that despite deploying over 200 security personnel for each hearing, proceedings were not moving forward.

The judge warned that the law would take its course if the defense did not cross-examine the witness at the next hearing, scheduled for September 3.

During the hearing, Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, complained about the presence of rats in her barracks, prompting the judge to order their removal. The trial was then adjourned until August 29.

Outside the prison, Khan’s sister Aleema Khan criticised the frequent transfers of prison staff, pointing out that the security personnel assigned to her brother had changed six times. She confirmed that while a rally scheduled for August 22 had been postponed at the government’s request, the PTI rally on September 8 would go ahead as planned.

In a related development, the PTI has filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking recovery of the missing party activists. PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan filed the petition, naming senior officials of the Interior and Defence Ministries, the Federal Investigation Agency and the Islamabad Police as respondents, Dawn reported.

The petition points out that 16 PTI workers were arrested in a recent crackdown, and some are still missing. It urges the court to declare enforced disappearances unconstitutional and order authorities to investigate any government involvement in the incidents. (ANI)