Imran Khan said, ‘Everyone knows where the power is in Pakistan, so we had to depend on them.
Islamabad:
In an unusual attack on Pakistan’s military, ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan has admitted that his government was a “weak” one that was “blackmailed from everywhere” because it did not have power and “everyone knows where it is”. Is”.
Imran Khan was ousted from power in April after losing a no-confidence vote under his leadership, which he accused of targeting Russia, China and Afghanistan because of his independent foreign policy decisions. was part of the conspiracy.
In an interview to Pakistan’s Bol News on Wednesday, Imran Khan was asked to recall the events of the night of the no-confidence vote against him, who was issuing the orders and who had taken up cases against the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan. was hindered. Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper reported that the leader of the Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief said that his government was “weak” when it came to power and had to look for coalition partners, adding that he would opt for re-election if the same situation arises again. And will demand a majority. Government or not at all.
The 69-year-old cricketer-turned-politician said, “Our hands were tied. We were blackmailed from everywhere. We didn’t have the power. Everyone knows where the power is in Pakistan, so we have to trust them.” lay down.” To elaborate further what he was referring to.
Imran Khan, who came to power in 2018, reportedly with the backing of the military, is the only Pakistani prime minister to be voted out in a no-confidence vote in parliament. He was replaced by Shahbaz Sharif of PML-N.
He said it was imperative for the country to have a “strong army” because of the threat posed by enemies, but added that there was also a need to strike a “balance” between a strong army and a strong government.
“We used to depend on him all the time. He also did a lot of good things but he didn’t do a lot of things that should have been done. He has power because he controls institutions like the NAB (National Accountability Bureau), which That was not under our control,” he said.
The former prime minister said that his government had responsibility, but it did not have all the power and authority.
The Pakistan military, which has ruled the coup-prone country for more than half of its 73-plus years of existence, has so far wielded considerable power in matters of security and foreign policy. However, the army has consistently denied its involvement in politics.
According to experts, Imran Khan, who was ousted after the National Assembly passed a no-confidence motion against him on April 10, had apparently lost the military’s support as he had joined Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum’s ISI spy agency. refused to support the appointment. Chief last year. In the end, he agreed but it soured his relationship with the army.
During the interview, Imran Khan said, “No management works if I have responsibility but not full power and authority. A system works only when responsibility and authority are in one place.”
Mr Khan said that the present political situation is a problem for the country as well as the establishment.
“If the establishment doesn’t make the right decisions, I can give an assurance in writing that (before everyone else) they and the army will perish because of what happens if the country goes bankrupt,” he said.
“Pakistan is heading towards a lapse. If it happens which institution (worst) will be hit? Army. After it gets hit, what concession will be taken from us? Denuclearization,” Mr Khan said.
Imran Khan said that if Pakistan had to lose its nuclear deterrence, it would split into three pieces. “The country is heading towards suicide if the right decisions are not taken at this time,” he warned.
Proceeding to share his views on the night of the no-confidence vote, Imran Khan declined to go into details, saying: “History never forgives anyone. Things unfold. If you ask me, I’ll go into details. Will not go, but when history is written it will be counted as a night in which great damage was done to Pakistan and its institutions.”
“It is the same institutions that weakened Pakistan which gave it its foundation and strengthened it,” he said.
Imran Khan said that he “categorically told the neutral people” that his government’s economic performance, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, was nothing short of a “miracle”.
“I told them that if you do this and if this conspiracy (to remove my government) is successful, our economy will collapse,” he said.
Imran Khan said the country stood on the cusp of a “defining moment”, calling it a “test for the establishment”. “Everybody knows they are powerbrokers, so they are on trial. This is the trial of the judiciary and the Supreme Court (as well).”
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)