Imran Khan rules out talks with Pakistan Government but open to dialogue with military establishment

Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan has ruled out talks with the Shehbaz Sharif-led federal government but appeared eager to initiate a dialogue with the military establishment, calling them the “real” decision-makers in the country.

Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan has ruled out talks with the Shehbaz Sharif-led federal government but appeared eager to initiate a dialogue with the military establishment, calling them the "real" decision-makers in the country.

Talking to reporters on Monday after his appearance at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in connection with multiple cases, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party chairman said that politicians, including the incumbent rulers, were "powerless" and they have no authority to conduct the dialogue.

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Responding to a question whether he was ready to hold talks with politicians on the charter of economy, Mr. Khan claimed the establishment is the “real decision maker and power is concentrated” within the military, the Dawn newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Pakistan Army chief Gen Asim Munir has vowed to bring to justice all those "responsible for bringing shame to the nation on May 9" and said that such "orchestrated tragic incidents" would never be allowed again at any cost.

The PTI chief also accused former Army Chief General (retd.) Qamar Javed Bajwa of “backstabbing” him and said that he could have sacked Mr. Bajwa on at least three different occasions but exercised restraint, the report said.

The powerful Pakistan Army has ruled the coup-prone country for more than half of its 75-plus years of existence and has wielded considerable power in matters of security and foreign policy.