PTI MNAs to return to parliament 'if US cipher is investigated': Imran Khan

By
Ashraf Malkham
|
September 24, 2022

On March 27, Khan accused the US of interfering in Pakistan’s politics and plotting to oust his regime through a no-trust motion

PTI Chairman Imran Khan. — APP/File


PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday said that his party MNAs will return to the National Assembly if the government decides to investigate the cipher from Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington allegedly containing comments regarding the vote of no-confidence against him.

Khan's remarks came during a conversation with journalists in Islamabad.

The cipher, based on then-envoy Asad Majeed’s meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for Central and South Asia Donald Lu, is at the heart of PTI’s allegations that his ouster from office was all part of a foreign conspiracy.

On March 27, the former prime minister at a public gathering accused the US of interfering in Pakistan’s politics and plotting to oust his regime through a no-trust motion in the National Assembly.

As proof, the PM also carried a "threat letter" saying that "a foreign country" — referring to the United States — "has warned of dire consequences if I remain in power".

Speaking to journalists today, Khan also spoke of his party's relations with the establishment.

"The PTI had good relations with the establishment, I don't know how and when they worsened," he said.

"The government needs to have better relations with the establishment than the Opposition," he said, adding: "How can we have links with the establishment while being in the Opposition?"

He said that the establishment in Pakistan is a reality and it "has all the powers".

The former premier said that his government always desired good relations with everyone in the region in the national interest.

Khan, while taking a jibe at the government, said that its priorities are "not the economy but ending its corruption cases".

The government has dismissed National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) cases worth Rs1,100 billion, said the PTI chief, adding that former finance minister Ishaq Dar has decided to return to Pakistan as soon as NAB's case against him ends. He further claimed that Nawaz Sharif is also preparing to return back.

"If we get to rule the country again, we will not repeat the mistakes made in the past. The PTI government had come into power for the first time and hence, mistakes were made," he admitted.

The former premier also said that his party has a "comprehensive plan" to stabilise the economy.



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