Imran Khan says never offered ‘life-time’ extension to Qamar Bajwa

LAHORE: Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has asserted that he never offered ‘life-time’ extension to former chief of army staff (COAS) Qamar Javed Bajwa, ARY News reported on Sunday.

In an interview to a private news channel, the former premier claimed that the country’s economy was improving when his government was in the power but unfortunately it was ousted through a ‘conspiracy’.

Recalling his government’s performance, Imran Khan claimed that the country’s growth rate was at 6 percent while information technology (IT) exports were increasing. “They [the incumbent rulers] thought people of Pakistan will not come out against this conspiracy,” he said.

“It is a lie that I offered a life-time extension to Qamar Javed Bajwa,” Imran Khan said, adding that the former army chief was the only man behind the conspiracy against him and his government.

The PTI chairman further said that Qamar Bajwa’s ‘plan’ was to weaken his party. “He [Bajwa] considered [Prime Minister] Shehbaz Sharif a wise person,” he said, adding that he already knew that the former COAS had given an offer to PML-N president.

“I was aware of these conspiracies, but still I gave the benefit of doubt to General Bajwa. However, I later realised that he was only the man behind the conspiracy against him and his government,” he added.

Referring to elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the PTI chief said that his party dissolved the assemblies because the Constitution states that elections should be held within 90 days after the dissolution of the assembly.

He reiterated that the incumbent government was afraid of elections and cannot defeat the ‘most popular party’ even with rigging.

Earlier on April 1, Imran Khan claimed that Qamar Javed Bajwa had put pressure on him as he “wanted friendship with India”.

Talking to a delegation of journalists at his residence in Lahore’s Zaman Park, the former premier called Qamar Bajwa a ‘liar’, saying that the former army chief should be held accountable by the army.

Postponement of elections

Earlier in March, Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced to delay of the Punjab by-elections which were scheduled to be held on April 30.

The ECP withdrew the Punjab Election Program notification issued on March 8 and decided to postpone the Punjab election and announced October 08 as the new date for elections in Punjab.

Read More: ECP announces date for KP elections

The ECP spokesman said that the president Dr Arif Alvi also been informed about the postponement of elections in Punjab, adding that the new election schedule will release soon.