Imran Khan said Gen Bajwa’s setup is still operational’ in the establishment.

Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has stated that ex-chief of army staff (COAS) General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa’s “setup” is still in place.

During a press conference in Lahore on Sunday, Khan added, without naming the army commander, “In Pakistan, the establishment is the name of one individual.”

Imran, who was deposed by a vote of no-confidence in the National Assembly in April last year, said that the previous army commander did not want accountability in the country, and as a result, his ties with Gen (retd) Bajwa deteriorated.

Khan responded to a question by saying that Bajwa was showing sympathy with him after stabbing him in the back.

In his final encounter with Gen Bajwa, Khan claimed he was called a “playboy,” to which he answered, “Yes, I had been a playboy.”

The previous army leader was opposed to the rule of law in the nation, according to Khan, who also implicated Bajwa.

‘Gen Bajwa recruited Husain Haqqani.’
The former prime minister accused Gen (retd) Bajwa of employing Husain Haqqani, Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States, for lobbying in the United States.

Haqqani was accused of soliciting US action against Pakistan’s military via the so-called letter months after the US assault on Osama Bin Laden’s stronghold in Abbottabad in 2011 amid an escalating schism between civilian and military leadership. He was accused of providing visas to Americans without proper procedure, avoiding necessary authorities, and stealing money.

The dismissed prime minister further claimed that Haqqani had initiated a campaign against him and was pushing the former army commander in the United States.

‘Musharraf gained money by selling terrorism,’ says one source.
Imran Khan stated he got money by “selling terrorism” to former President and ex-Army Chief Pervez Musharraf.

“Dollars may be gained by selling terrorism,” said the deposed prime minister.

However, 80,000 people died as a result of Musharraf’s conduct, he noted.

Civil-military cooperation is critical to the country’s prosperity.
Khan stated that the nation can only prosper when the army and all political parties are on the same page.

He went on to declare that the military action is not the answer to any problem, and that he has consistently spoken out against operations in Waziristan.

‘Won’t return to assembly.’
In response to the country’s current political turmoil, the former prime minister underlined that the PTI will not return to the National Assembly. He went on to say that it would be a waste of time.

Khan lashed out at the establishment once again, claiming that three of their legislators were urged to stay impartial before the Punjab Assembly’s vote of confidence.

“The MQM groups are coming together, and leaders of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) are joining the PPP (to challenge the PTI in the upcoming election),” Khan continued.

The PTI chairman emphasised the need of free and fair elections, saying that transparent elections would provide stability to the nation. He also condemned the “game of audio leaks” in the nation.

‘Bilawal has no knowledge of Afghanistan.’
Khan slammed the coalition administration, claiming Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari knew nothing about Afghanistan.

The former prime minister praised his government’s foreign policy, stating they had friendly relations with the present leadership in the war-torn nation.

‘Sethi has nothing to do with cricket,’ says one.
In answer to a query on the coalition government’s decision to replace previous PCB chairman Ramiz Raja, Imran Khan said that Najam Sethi had nothing to do with cricket.

The World Cup-winning cricketer-turned-politician slammed the coalition government for changing the board’s constitution, saying, “Ramia Raja thrived the sport and also saved money.”

According to a government notification, Raja was fired only days after the national team suffered a humbling first-ever 3-0 home series whitewash at the hands of England.

However, a shift has been in the works since April of last year, when Imran Khan, a former national team captain, was deposed as prime minister and replaced by Shehbaz Sharif.

According to a government notification viewed by Sharif’s cabinet, Raja was fired, and the PCB would henceforth be governed by a 14-member committee led by Sethi, who has previously served as chairman.

Khan, on the other hand, said that bringing back Sethi damaged the cricket body.