FILE PHOTO: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan pauses as he speaks with Reuters during an interview, in Lahore, Pakistan March 17, 2023. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro/File Photo

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has written a letter to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, urging him to change policies, his lawyer Faisal Chaudhry said on Monday. Speaking to the media outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, where Khan is imprisoned, Chaudhry said: “Imran Khan, as a former prime minister and a party supremo, has written a six-point letter to the army chief.” The ousted premier, who was removed from power via a parliamentary vote in 2022, has expressed solidarity with the military in its fight against terrorism, acknowledging the sacrifices made by soldiers, Chaudhry said. Khan, as per the lawyer, emphasised the need for the entire nation to stand with the armed forces. According to Chaudhry, the letter’s first point addresses “fraudulent elections” and the alleged promotion of money launderers. The second point discusses the impact of the 26th Constitutional Amendment on judicial independence and the rule of law. Khan also referenced the Al-Qadir Trust case verdict in the letter. The third point criticises the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), stating that it has been weaponised to suppress dissent and crack down on social media. The fourth point highlights cases of terrorism charges, raids, and the use of force against PTI workers. Khan also wrote that threats to journalists are damaging the army’s reputation. The fifth point concerns intelligence agencies’ operations, while the final point focuses on the economy. Khan claimed the incumbent government has weakened the economy by artificially controlling the rupee’s value. He also raised concerns over low investment and internet shutdowns. Chaudhry added that Khan urged the army chief to reconsider policies and called for the formation of a judicial commission. Separately, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan rejected notion of a “policy shift” after letter to army chief, saying that Imran wrote the letter in capacity as former prime minister. In the letter, he said, Imran emphasised the “need to reevaluate policies”, adding the text of the letter will be made public today.

 

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