ISLAMABAD: Former human rights minister in the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government Shireen Mazari on Friday refuted the military spokesman’s claim that Imran Khan had approached the army chief to end the political deadlock after submission of a no-confidence resolution against him.

“Let me be clear — I am stating on record (that the then) PM did not call military for help on breaking political deadlock. The military sought the meeting (with Imran Khan) through the then defence minister Pervez Khattak and they put forward the three proposals of either the PM resigning or taking part in vote of no confidence (VNC) or fresh elections,” said Ms Mazari in a series of tweets on Friday.

“Why would Imran Khan give option of resigning when he had already stated categorically and repeatedly (that) he would never resign. Makes no sense! Also IK (Imran Khan) had categorically rejected VNC as foreign regime change conspiracy. So why would he suggest these options? Absurd!” she said in another tweet.

Sherry asks ex-PM to stop selling ‘false’ narrative

The tweets from Ms Mazari came a day after director general of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj-Gen Babar Iftikhar during a news conference shared the military’s perspective on Imran Khan’s ‘foreign conspiracy’ mantra and his claim of refusing US bases on Pakistani soil. He had said the only time Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa had met the leaders of the then opposition was during the political impasse that resulted after the no-confidence motion proceedings had started and that too at the request of the former prime minister for mediation.

The ISPR chief said three options were discussed in a meeting between Imran Khan, Gen Bajwa and ISI DG Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum.

The options included the vote of no-confidence going ahead, resignation by the prime minister and withdrawal of the motion by the opposition followed by dissolution of the National Assembly. Mr Khan favoured the last option, but the opposition did not accept it when Gen Bajwa discussed that with them, he had maintained.

This was the first direct response from any PTI member to the presser of the military spokesman in which he had also refuted Mr Khan’s claim about foreign conspiracy.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) vice president and Senator Sherry Rehman on Friday advised Imran Khan to stop selling his false narrative after the military spokesman’s clarification.

“Enough is enough. After the clarification of Pakistan Army, former prime minister Imran Khan should stop drama of conspiracy to topple his government,” said Ms Rehman while addressing a news conference.

“He (Imran Khan) put national security and interests in danger while making narrative to save his government and his reputation. The DG ISPR (has) made it clear that there was no discussion in the National Security Council (NSC) on conspiracy and no evidence found in the so-called letter of the former ambassador,” she said.

Ms Rehman alleged that the PTI was playing a dangerous game by dubbing the opponents “traitors”.

“Who are you to distribute certificates of treason? They (PTI leaders) are putting the national interests in danger and dividing the society with a false narrative. He (Imran Khan) wanted to remain in government by hook and crook. Nuclear assets are in safe hands. We are founder of the assets and know how to make it safe and secure. But Imran Khan is a security risk,” she said.

Ms Rehman called for action under Article 6 against those who had violated the Constitution at the time of vote on the no-trust motion.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2022