Imran Khan says was pressurised by Qamar Bajwa for resuming ties with India

LAHORE: Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday alleged that former chief of army staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa had put pressure on him as he “wanted friendship with India”, ARY News reported.

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.

Imran Khan also denied any role being played by President Arif Alvi between the establishment and his party, saying that PTI leaders Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Pervaiz Elahi have been tasked to reestablish contacts with other political parties.

He also criticised the caretaker Punjab government led by Chief Minister (CM) Mohsin Naqvi over the police raid at his residence in Zaman Park on March 18, saying that there was no justification for the “attack” on his house in his absence.

He also termed Punjab CM Naqvi, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Anwar, and CCPO Lahore Bilal Saddique Kamyana as “criminals”.

“The caretaker government should have played a neutral role but they are taking measures against PTI,” he said, adding that a case has been prepared against the ‘attack’ and will be filed soon.

In response to a question, Imran Khan questioned under which law the coalition government will restore the provincial assemblies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab — if the polls do not occur within 90 days.

The PTI Chairman also threatened to launch countrywide protests if elections are not held in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) within 90 days, saying that if elections are not held within the stipulated time, there would no such thing called Constitution.

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.