Fresh elections only way out for political stability: Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan reiterated his demand for free and fair elections, saying that a fresh election was the only way to end the political and economic stability in the country, ARY News reported on Monday.

In an interview with a private TV channel, the former prime minister said that he was ready to hold a dialogue with the coalition government regarding fresh elections.

“The only way out of this situation was fresh elections. “If they [government] are ready for early free and fair elections, we [PTI] are ready to hold dialogues for country’s stability,” he said, adding that the incumbent govt should decide first whether they want political and economic stability in the country or not.

Contempt Case

Responding to a question regarding the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) decision to indict him in contempt of court case, Khan said that he would have apologised if the five-member bench had allowed him to speak during court proceedings.

“I could have said what they wanted if they had allowed me to speak,” he said, adding that he respects the judiciary and never insulted courts.

Last week, IHC decided to indict Imran Khan in a contempt case against him for passing controversial remarks against Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry.

A five-member bench, comprising IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri and Justice Babar Sattar, announced the verdict, calling Imran Khan’s response “unsatisfactory”.

On Sept 7, Imran Khan submitted second reply in contempt of court notice against him by the Islamabad High Court (IHC), expressing deep regrets over his unintentional utterances during the Faisalabad rally.

‘Economic fallout’

Taking a jibe at the coalition government, Imran Khan said that the country will be stuck in a quagmire if the “imported government’s tenure is prolonged further. The PTI chief said that economic stability in the country won’t arrive before political stability.

“Pakistan is moving toward a default which is why I keep saying that we need fresh, free and fair elections,” Imran reiterated.

He further said: “The economic fallout of the floods will be witnessed during the winter season.”