Former PM Imran Khan responds over DG ISPR press conference, rejects military spokesperson statement
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Former PM Imran Khan contradicted the Pakistan military's statement that three options were not put forth by by the establishment.
The former premier, in response to DG ISPR's clarification about the 'three options' given to him, said: "The establishment gave me three options, so I agreed with the election proposal. How could I accept the resignation and no-confidence suggestion?"
Khan's comments came after Director-General Major General Babar Iftikhar, in a press briefing on Thursday, had said that during the deadlock between the Opposition and the government, the PM Office had contacted the military leadership to help resolve the political crisis.
"The army chief and the DG ISI visited the PM Office at their request to play the role of mediator."
Options of the no-confidence motion, PM’s resignation, and the dissolution of assemblies after withdrawal of the motion were discussed there, he had said, adding that the ex-prime minister had declared the third option as “acceptable”.
In response to a question about the military, Imran Khan said that he will not say anything which will harm the country. "I am not saying anything because Pakistan needs a strong and united army. We are a Muslim country and a strong army is a guarantor of our security."
The former prime minister said that the military was onboard over the Russia visit and he telephoned Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa before the visit.
"Gen Bajwa said we must visit Russia."
