After blaming US for conspiracy, Imran Khan now seeking its help: Khawaja Asif

 

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif Friday said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan — who blamed the United States for conspiracy against his government — is now seeking its help now.

Speaking during a press conference with foreign media persons along with Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Asif said that Imran Khan's political journey started with a cypher. 

"And today Shireen Mazari has written a letter to the United States for help [...] the country which was being accused the conspiracy against Pakistan or conspiracy against Imran Khan's government, the same people are now asking for help and rescue from the perpetrators of a foreign conspiracy." 

Asif said that this is a sum of Khan's journey since his dismissal from the government through the vote of no-confidence and today to "his SOS to the United States". 

'Imran was willing to talk to establishment, not govt'

Responding to a question, the PML-N leader said that the government had tried developing a consensus on economic policies for the last year but that offer was rejected and spurned by the then-prime minister. 

"He [Imran Khan] has offered to talk to the establishment, with the military leadership but not the political leadership. Despite the fact that the present government was willing to talk on so many occasions, Imran kept on insisting and went to the extent of trying to approach the present leadership of the Pakistan Army," he added. 

Asif said before that, Khan approached former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa through the president, tried negotiating with him and offered him an extension for life. 

"He has not offered the present government a dialogue or negotiations. However, we are ready to talk for the sake of peace in our country to have a consensus on some major issues," he added. 

"We’re not in favour of a transitional dialogue but a comprehensive one that covers everything," he highlighted. 

'Imran Khan is a desperate man'

Speaking about the recent clashes between the PTI supporters and the police, Asif said that there is a possibility they might escalate and get into an ugly situation. 

"Imran Khan is a desperate man, he has demonstrated violence in the last few weeks and this has never happened in Pakistan," he said, reiterating that the political governments have never resorted to "organised" violence. 

The minister said that the government still has the ability to control the violence triggered by Imran Khan and his supporters. 

Talking about the former premier's appearances before the court, Asif said that nowhere in the world has ever an accused refused to appear in court.