Imran Khan while taking U-turn from his previous stance announces to hold talks with anybody else for the sake of the country
LAHORE, Mar 16 (SABAH): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan while taking U-turn from his previous stance announced to hold talks with anybody else for the sake of the country.
Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Imran Khan went on to say that he had no issue for taking any initiative in terms of the prosperity and interests of the country.
Expressing his gratitude for his supporters, Imran Khan said, “I want to express my gratitude to all of the workers who came from different parts of the country, including Lahore, to stand by my side in a bid to struggle for actual freedom.”
Imran Khan said he was ready to “talk to anyone” and “render any sacrifice” for the sake of the country’s “uplift, interest and democracy”.
“I will not refrain from any sacrifice for the sake of Pakistan’s uplift, interest and democracy,” Imran Khan tweeted. “In this regard, I am willing to talk to anyone and take every step towards it.”
On the other hand, Imran Khan, while saying that he believed in supremacy of law, vowed to appear before the court on March 18.
Speaking to a delegation of journalists, Imran Khan said his party would not let the elections get delayed for more than 90 days, otherwise, the PTI will launch a movement as per the constitution in this regard.
Talking about his potential arrest, Imran Khan said, “The police, Rangers have come again near my residence to arrest me. There is no doubt about it that after getting arrested, I will be subjected to torture.”
When asked about the presence of former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, Imran Khan said, “Chaudhry Parvez Elahi has been tested positive for coronavirus”.
Meanwhile Imran Khan on Thursday thanked the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) for condemning the “excessive use of force by authorities” at Zaman Park in Lahore.
Expressing gratitude to the association for their condemnation, Imran Khan thanked them for taking a “firm stand” regarding the supremacy of Constitution and the rule of law in the country.
“We also appreciate your condemnation of the excessive use of force by the authorities in Zaman Park”, read the tweet.
The ousted premier furthered that his party was founded on the principle of rule of law, adding that the PTI “will stick to this commitment with full determination”.
A day earlier, Islamabad Police, backed by Punjab Police and Rangers had resumed efforts — which began on Tuesday — to arrest the ex-premier in connection with the Toshkhana case. Imran has skipped indictment several times, which led to the judge issuing a non-bailable arrest warrant for him.
Following the development, the SCBA condemned all violations of the law and “any excesses committed by law enforcement agencies or anybody who has taken the law in their own hands”.
The statement, issued by SCBAP President Abid S. Zuberi and Secretary Muqtedir Akhtar Shabbir, said the association stood for rule of law, the constitution and the dignity of the judgments issued by the courts.
“Any form of violence is not acceptable in a democratic country governed by rule of law and the Constitution. The use of excessive force against the former prime minister of Pakistan is highly condemned. Furthermore, the method of service of warrants is also highly arbitrary, vindictive and not in accordance with [the] law. Therefore, such violence must be stopped forthwith,” the statement said.
“Every person must be treated in accordance with [the] law and due process must be adopted. Law enforcement agencies must not use excessive force and citizens must not initiate confrontation or damage public and private property. It is incumbent upon all citizens to obey orders passed by all courts,” the statement said.
The body also emphasised that the state must focus on and ensure implementation of the judgment of the Supreme Court and must make arrangements for the holding of elections as per the directive of the top court and “not create unnecessary law and order situation under any pretext”.