Responding to various media queries, he said when he was in power they offered him to build some consensus on economic policies but that offer was rejected and burnt by the then Prime Minister. During the past year, he said, Khan made several talk offers to the establishment, the military leadership but not to political leadership. Despite the fact that the opposition and the present government were willing to talk on so many occasions but he (Imran Khan) kept on insisting to approach the present leadership of the Pakistan Army but they were not responding.
The Defence Minister added that Imran Khan had approached former Army Chief General Bajwa through the president and met him twice. Khan tried to negotiate with him (Gen Bajwa) and even offered him an extension for life.
“We are ready to talk for the sake of peace in our country, not only for the present government but for coming generations we must have some sort of consensus on major issues that we are facing for the past many decades. We are not in favour of any transactional dialogue. We need something which is comprehensive and covers everything,” the Minister said. Khawaja Asif noted that the situation was getting worse with every passing day as the violence could escalate and things could take an ugly turn.
“But this sort of organized violence against state machinery is unprecedented in national history. The govt has the power and will to control any violence which is triggered by Imran Khan and his supporters,” he maintained.
The Defence Minister termed the allegations levelled against the Inspector Generals of Islamabad and Punjab police, and the interim Chief Minister of Punjab as “scandalous”.
“He (Imran Khan) is just trying to create an atmosphere where his followers are ready to believe anything he says. This sort of cult is prevailing in Pakistan these days but it would fizzle out soon.
On one hand, he said, Khan was accusing General Bajwa of conspiring against him and aiding his opponent and on the other, he was offering him lifetime extensions. “Then accusing the US of conspiring against him taking even names and now he is again flirting with the US govt through lobbyists and approaching them for some sort of intervention, aid or help,” he added.
The Minister said: “Perhaps his followers do believe but most of the people have lost track of what he has been saying for the past year.”
On the query of elections, he said the National Elections were due in October and would be held on time. The decision had been taken by the Election Commission of Pakistan which was the empowered body as per the constitution to hold the elections.
He noted that since February last the security situation had deteriorated. “We lost a senior army officer a day before yesterday and the terrorist incidents have escalated over the last two to three months. The evidence is there and it is not concocted.”
He also informed that he was aware of the fact that the Ministry of Finance had said it was not able to provide funds for the elections on 30th April due to the economic situation. “I have a parliamentary career of 33 years and I have never approached any foreign government. I was detained in Attock Fort by General Musharraf which was a harsh experience but I did not approach the US or any foreign government,” he added.
The Minister pointed out that the PTI after accusing the US for a year, sought help from the same. “It’s a disgrace for any political party and worker to seek foreign help for whatever he is following or believing in. My commitment to whatever I believe in should be sacrosanct and that should be within the ambit of my commitment to my country and ideology and seeking help from abroad is treacherous,” he noted.