Imran Khan allows party leaders to attend APC meeting over Operation Azm-e-Istehkam

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan said on Friday that his party would participate in the all-parties conference (APC) called by prime minister Shehbaz Sharif to take all political parties into confidence over the anti-militancy operation Azm-e-Istehkham.  

Imran Khan, in an informal talk in Adiala Jail, said terrorism is a national issue, and "we took the decision to participate in this meeting only for the sake of the country".

While commenting on Operation Istehkam-e-Pakistan, he asked why the then-foreign ministers Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Ishaq Dar refused to visit Afghanistan.

Mr Khan added that Pakistan would not be victorious in the battle against the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) without the cooperation of the Afghan government.

The former prime minister also expressed his reservations over the new anti-terrorism operation, saying it would "only lead to further instability" in the country.

Talking about the dialogue between the government and PTI regarding his release, Khan reiterated his stance of not bowing down. 

“I will never be a slave of anyone, and I am ready to die in prison, but my fight will continue until my life ends.”

Imran Khan also expressed disappointment over court proceedings of PTI cases and said Article 25 of the constitution of Pakistan does not allow favours in court proceedings. 

“Despite ex-CJP Gulzar stopping Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa from hearing PTI cases, how does he hear our cases? Our counsels have already raised objections on the presence of CJP in all cases,” he said.

"Now we doubt getting justice,” the cricketer-turned-politician added.

Mr Khan demanded that PTI cases should be referred to other judges.