LAHORE: Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan Friday demanded former army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa be put on trial for violating his government’s foreign policy and delivering a speech critical of Russia following the beginning of the military crisis in Ukraine in February of last year.
Addressing a group of journalists in Lahore, Khan also said the military establishment lacks understanding of political dynamics. and asserted that Bajwa had “stabbed me in the back” by criticizing Russia’s involvement in Ukraine.
The former prime minister was referring to a speech Bajwa delivered at the Islamabad Security Dialogue in April of last year. In his keynote address, the now-retired general had demanded that the crisis in the eastern European country must be “stopped immediately”.
“Despite legitimate security concerns of Russia, its aggression against a smaller country cannot be condoned,” he had remarked.
President Vladimir Putin believes that Ukraine is an integral part of Russian history and that it currently has a puppet regime controlled by foreign powers, a reference to the 2019 presidential election which resulted in comedian Volodymyr Zelenskyy being elected as president of Ukraine.
Defense analysts suggest that a possible solution to the conflict is for Ukraine to become a neutral state in world politics. This would involve Kyiv agreeing to stand neutral between NATO and Russia, undertaking no formal alliances or non-defensive military cooperation with either side, and defending its borders against any invader. In return, Russia and NATO would agree not to interfere with Ukraine’s neutrality and to respect its sovereignty.
Khan has been highly critical of Bajwa since he was ousted from power in April last year, accusing him of being responsible for the country’s current predicament.
Imran has claimed that Bajwa used to call the shots, while he, as the prime minister, was at the receiving end of all the criticism. “He was a super king. He was above everyone. He was controlling NAB [National Accountability Bureau] and no one could be held accountable without Bajwa’s nod.”
“I was the punching bag while they [the establishment] had the absolute power. Bajwa took credit for all good things, while we were blamed for everything that went wrong,” he said.
“The money laundering case against [Prime Minister] Shehbaz Sharif could not proceed because Bajwa did not want it to,” he said.
Referring to a recent article based on the former army chief’s interview, Imran had said everyone already knew that the former army chief had toppled his government but “I did not expect that he would have admitted to this”.
‘Ready to talk to new army chief’
Imran during the media interaction also stated that he was ready to talk with the current army chief, General Syed Asim Munir, for the betterment of the country but only if some officials be removed. However, Khan added that it seemed that Munir considered him an ‘enemy’.
“I have no rifts with the establishment. If someone thinks that I will kneel down then it will not happen. No one is willing to talk so what should I do?” he was quoted as saying.
Speaking about a slew of cases against him, Imran dared the government to prove a single corruption charge against him and his wife Bushra Bibi. Imran said that the general elections should be held across the country simultaneously to cut poll expenditure.
He also vowed to win all elections despite “PDM umpires” and added that overseas Pakistanis also support the PTI. Reiterating his claim of life threats to his life, the former premier said that he has recorded a video message regarding the threats to his life which is present in a foreign country.
Imran also revealed that he decided against travelling to Islamabad by plane for court hearings as he was informed that the government wanted to arrest him from the airport and take him to Balochistan.
“I am facing threat from those who are supposed to protect me,” he alleged.
The ex-PM also disclosed that he is still in touch with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman despite negative propaganda by the PDM regime.
