A key member of the erstwhile Imran Khan government has indicated he was working to clear “misunderstandings” between the former prime minister's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and the “establishment” (referring to the Pakistan Army).
Sheikh Rashid Ahmed told in an interview with VOA Urdu that “I have started efforts yesterday (May 1) to remove misunderstanding between them (PTI and the establishment),” Dawn reported on Tuesday. Observers have speculated Imran's government fell as it lost support of the Pakistan Army.
Rashid Ahmed, who has had a reputation of switching political loyalties, told VOA Urdu “I am in favour of peace with army, but in case of ‘war’, I will stand by Imran Khan.”
Rashid Ahmed also claimed Imran Khan was ready to hold talks with the Shehbaz Sharif government to bring about early elections. He said “Imran Khan does not want to shake hands with the leaders of Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition government, but there can be talks regarding elections if the establishment guarantees,” Rashid Ahmed said.
However, Rashid Ahmed warned early elections were necessary for the continuation of democracy. He claimed “Imran Khan is going to gather millions of people in Islamabad and in that case, the country would go into a state of uncertainty, which may lead to civil war. The PTI does not want to topple the government, but the marchers will not return from Islamabad without announcement of the date of general elections,” Dawn reported.
Rashid Ahmed had told Dawn “Imran Khan is not going to withdraw his demand for the elections. He is turning into a Bhutto-like figure,” referring to former president and prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who was executed by military dictator Zia-ul-Haq.