Imran Seeks Establishment's Help For Second Term In Power: Asad Ali Toor

Imran Seeks Establishment's Help For Second Term In Power: Asad Ali Toor
PTI chairman Imran Khan has reached out to the establishment for a second time, seeking their help for another term in power, according to journalist Asad Ali Toor.

While speaking during a podcast on Saturday, Toor said the PTI chief has sent a message to the establishment as part of his efforts to initiate talks with them.

"Sources say that he (Imran Khan) has conveyed his willingness to accept any condition to be back at the helm," he said.

But Toor added that there has been no response from the other side because the military is apprehensive of the former premier's ties with Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed.

The former army officer is believed to have enjoyed close ties with the ex-premier during his term in power.

Last month, despite Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Fawad Chaudhry’s assertion that the party chairman had not requested a meeting with Army Chief General Asim Munir, Geo News anchor Shahzeb Khanzada reported, citing sources, that Imran had in fact sent a message to COAS but that his request was denied.

The army chief informed the businessmen who met with him that PTI chief had sent him a message requesting a meeting.

According to Shahzeb Khanzada, who cited anonymous sources, General Asim told Imran Khan that it was not his responsibility as army chief to engage with politicians.

According to sources, COAS declared that the army wouldn’t become involved in politics or meddle with it. The army chief insisted that the political leadership should settle their differences among themselves and that he would not meddle in them.

The fresh reported attempt for talks comes amid intense political crisis in wake of the top court's verdict to annul ECP's decision of postponing the Punjab elections, and setting May 14 as the date for the polls in the province.