Imran Khan Backs Talks, Did Not Call for Ending Dialogue: Latif Khosa

LAHORE: Senior PTI leader Sardar Latif Khosa has said that PTI founder Imran Khan supports negotiations and has not called for an end to talks. He said Khan’s position is that the country should move forward through dialogue in its broader interest.

In an interview with a website, he said the PTI founder believes negotiations are essential for the independence of the judiciary, the strengthening of democracy and the country’s development.

Imran Khan’s message is that this country is ours and the army is ours too, so the responsibility for steering the country in the right direction is also ours.

PTI leadership and decisions

According to Latif Khosa, Imran Khan feels that the PTI leadership, particularly Allama Nasir Abbas, Sohail Afridi and other leaders, should have played their role more effectively. He acknowledges that matters have not been handled in the way they should have been.

He said Imran Khan has deferred any decision on possible changes in the PTI leadership or party until their next meeting.

Latif Khosa said Imran Khan is regularly provided with newspapers in Adiala Jail, which he reads, and that he also watches three TV channels. In this way, he said, he remains fully informed about Pakistan’s political and national affairs.

He said that in Imran Khan’s view, imposing governor’s rule or an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would not be in the national interest. His position is that the party given a mandate by the people of a province should also be given the right to govern.

Latif Khosa said no one will come from outside to solve Pakistan’s problems. According to him, Imran Khan believes that negotiations are the only effective path to ensuring the independence of the judiciary and paving the way for development.

Concern over health

Expressing concern over the health of the PTI founder, Latif Khosa said Imran Khan’s condition is worrying and his blood pressure reaches 193. He demanded that Imran Khan be provided with better medical facilities.

He also voiced concern over eyesight problems affecting Bushra Bibi, saying her eye condition is quite poor and she needs surgery.

He demanded that Bushra Bibi be moved to Shifa International or another standard, specialised medical centre for proper treatment, as even a minor infection could pose a threat to her eyesight.