Imran ready for ‘give and take’: Aleema

ISLAMABAD/ PESHAWAR: PTI founder chairman Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan Tuesday expressed willingness for negotiations saying, “Don’t sit back and hide; come forward and talk”.

Talking to the media while heading to the Adiala jail to meet Imran and earlier chatting with the media outside the Islamabad High Court, she said, “We have no idea what you want from us; there have been two years now. Don’t be afraid of us. The PTI founder is ready for talks, ready for give and take”.

She said, “Don’t sit back, come forward and talk; sit with us, there will be no secret talks. We are receiving threats that our car will overturn and Imran Khan will be finished (in jail), but we are not afraid.”

She told the media persons that if Barrister Gohar Ali Khan had good news regarding Imran’s release, then it should also be shared with her, and he should be asked about other details. Aleema contended that Imran’s case was not being heard despite the acting chief justice’s promise to their three senior-most lawyers. “Don’t try to intimidate judges and our legislators. And don’t do things while sitting in the background,” she remarked.

Responding to Aleema Khan’s offer, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said it could be considered. Speaking in the Geo News programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath”, he termed Aleema’s remarks “fragile effort”, saying her fresh offer could be “probed”. He, however, strongly slammed the language allegedly used against the state institutions by the social media warriors of the former ruling party, whether inside or outside the country. He said the PTI used to launch campaigns against the institutions with the blessings of their leadership. However, Asif said he did not see the matter resolving until clarity in the narrative of the former ruling party.

In a related development, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said the judges had taken oath that justice should be seen to be done. Talking to the media outside the Islamabad High Court, he said the PTI founder’s case had been fixed for hearing on June 5 adding, “We expect that our case will be heard and a better response will be given”.

Meanwhile, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur made it clear that the shelling on the PPP workers was not done on his orders, but according to the red zone SOPs.

Talking to the media during his appearance in the Islamabad High Court, he said the PPP workers tried to enter the red zone on which they were shelled and that it was not done on his orders.

He said the JUI held five rallies in 15 months, for which they provided security, but they (PPP) were stopped while entering the red zone.

Our Peshawar Bureau adds: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi flayed Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur for his statement about weapons and said it amounted to open rebellion and a clear violation of the Constitution and law. “Ali Amin Gandapur’s rhetoric goes against national unity and constitutional principles, and is unacceptable,” he said in a statement. Kundi said the statements made against the state institutions were punishable by law and should be dealt with through immediate legal action. “A person who speaks against the state is not fit to represent the public,” said the governor while referring to the chief minister.

“It is unfortunate that the campaigns on social media targeting the victories of the army are being backed by the Chief Minister’s House,” Kundi alleged. The governor accused the chief minister of indulging in dirty politics for personal political gain, even on a sensitive national issue like the repatriation of Afghan refugees.

“The baton charge and shelling on peaceful protesters is the worst example of fascism,” said the governor while referring to the use of force against the PPP workers the previous day.