Imran Khan turns down military’s demand to apologise

With first anniversary of May 9 riots is just a few hours away, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan has turned down the Pakistan military’s demand to apologise on Wednesday.

“Why should I tender apology, it should be sought from me,” said Khan during an informal conversation with journalists as quoted by Geo News.

He made these comments in response to a query related to Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Tuesday’s press conference.

During the hours long presser, he demanded “those involved in the May 9 violent protests to apologise” and shun politics of “anarchy” before holding any dialogue.

He had also said that the May 9 accused and perpetrators would have to be punished as per the Constitution and law.

The former premier is currently being kept in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail since August last year after he was booked in a number of cases ranging from corruption to violating Official Secrets Act.

However, in today’s interaction, he distanced his party from the violet protest saying that the PTI has never resorted to violence in its 27-year history.

“I only came to know about the May 9 riots when presented before then-chief justice Umar Ata Bandial in the Supreme Court,” he said. “I condemned the May 9 incidents in front of [former] chief justice Umar Ata Bandial.”

“If you don’t want to talk, then don’t, I am asking for holding dialogues for the sake of Pakistan,” he said while referring to DG ISPR’s statement.

Khan said neither he was interested in striking any “deal” nor wanted to go abroad and flee the country.

Moreover, he backed DG ISPR Maj Gen Chaudhry’s call to hold the judicial inquiry into the 2014 sit-in staged by the PTI against the alleged rigging in the 2013 general elections.

“I am ready for inquiry into the 2014 sit-in. I will be happy to appear before an inquiry committee. All allegations against me related to the 2014 sit-in are false,” he added.

“The army is ours and we have no problem with the army,” said Khan adding that “for God’s sake, do not drag the military into politics”.