Khawaja Asif
ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stated that the United States has made no request for relief to be granted to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, according to a report.
He accused PTI of spreading false narratives to tarnish Pakistan’s reputation and attempting to link their political struggles to the U.S. Congress without basis.
Speaking to the media, Asif criticized Imran Khan and PTI for their apparent shift in stance, pointing out that they had moved from their earlier slogan of “Absolutely Not” to what he described as “Absolutely Yes.” This change, he suggested, highlighted the party’s inconsistency and opportunistic approach to political matters.
Asif further accused PTI of staging what he called “fake dramas,” including claims of congressional hearings, to generate public sympathy and gain a political advantage.
Referring to the events of May 9, he stated that PTI’s efforts to create chaos and foster conspiracies have repeatedly failed and emphasized that accountability for those involved in such incidents will continue.
The Defence Minister also disclosed that during a previous protest, Imran Khan had initially agreed to one course of action, but his wife, Bushra Bibi, had influenced him to march toward D-Chowk instead.
He alleged that PTI’s unwillingness to engage in genuine negotiations has created a persistent deadlock, asserting that the truth behind their political maneuvers would soon come to light.
Asif underlined that Pakistan’s relationship with the United States is based on 76 years of diplomacy and mutual interests, dismissing the notion that it could be impacted by short-term political games. He emphasized that the government’s focus remains on strengthening long-standing ties rather than entertaining PTI’s claims.
Separately, Senator Faisal Vawda remarked that the conviction of Imran Khan in the £190 million case was inevitable. During a press conference in Karachi, Vawda claimed that he had warned the then-prime minister against approving the project, predicting it would lead to legal troubles for Khan. He described the case as “open and shut,” citing overwhelming evidence, including signed documents, that implicate the PTI founder.
Vawda also alleged that some PTI leaders had conspired against Khan, contributing to his legal woes. He maintained that the former prime minister had been trying to evade accountability for over two years but predicted that his imprisonment was imminent.
It is noteworthy that an accountability court in Rawalpindi is set to announce its verdict in the £190 million case against Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, tomorrow.
