Won't support any coup, says Imran Khan

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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Thursday said his party will not support any military coup, as tensions mounted between the country's political leadership and the army.

Mr. Khan's remarks came a day after media speculated that Pakistan was spiralling into a situation of military take-over as the stand-off between the government and the army continued that began from the memo scandal.

His remarks were a warning of sorts, as the army and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani were embroiled in a war of words, after Gilani dismissed defence secretary, retired Lt. Gen. Naeem Khalid Lodhi.

The former cricketer said in Lahore that any “unconstitutional way” will not be tolerated and that the people were against any sort of dictatorship.

The PTI chief Imran Khan also made it clear that his party will stand by the judiciary and come out on roads on January 16 if the court was attacked. Mr. Khan also criticised the government for defying Supreme Court orders.

The PTI chief said President Asif Ali Zardari was trying to hide his corruption. Mr Khan reiterated that he would not support any extra judicial step. He demanded of the government to write a letter to the Swiss government for reopening of graft cases against Mr Zardari.

Mr Khan called for free and fair elections at the earliest possible in the country to resolve the crisis.

Saying that the government has lost its moral right to govern, he said that Mr Zardari should resign from the assembly and the government must respect the apex court’s order to repeal Zardari's amnesty. He also said that all under the National Reconciliation Ordinance should step down.

According to him, the government has affected the democracy in the country in the worst manner.
Addressing a news conference, Mr Khan urged the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) to resign from the assemblies, as it step will ultimately lead to toppling of the government.

However, the PTI chief made it clear that his party will talk to every other political party except the PML-N, as this party is the part of status quo. “The party has been defending the government in the name of protecting the democracy," Mr Khan said.