Imran Khan accuses rivals of betraying democracy by "Respect for the Boot, Not the Vote"

RAWALPINDI, Aug 03: The founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), Imran Khan, has criticized political leaders for their perceived hypocrisy, stating that the biggest U-turn is the one who championed the slogan "respect the vote" but instead showed respect to the boot.
In a candid conversation with journalists at Adiala Jail, Khan emphasized that he plans to negotiate strictly within the constitutional framework and insists on the return of PTI's mandate. He expressed skepticism about negotiating with the current government, suggesting that meaningful discussions would involve those with real power.
Responding to criticisms of his call for peaceful protests outside GHQ, Khan questioned the constitutional basis for prohibiting such demonstrations and accused the military of enforcing an unannounced martial law. He called for an apology from the army, asserting that he had been wrongfully abducted by the Rangers.
Khan also took aim at the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), accusing it of legal inconsistencies over references related to Tosha Khana. He claimed that NAB's actions were flawed, and announced plans to take legal action against those responsible for what he described as false allegations.
Addressing his own legal troubles, Khan clarified that the necklace in question was moved before a raid on his Bani Gala residence, suggesting that his swift sentencing was due to NAB's errors.
Reflecting on the state of democracy, Khan argued that it should be based on ethical principles rather than force. He criticized the current parliament for lacking moral authority and noted a troubling return to attacks on the judiciary.
Khan concluded by highlighting his personal hardships in jail, including food poisoning due to inadequate facilities, underscoring his broader criticism of the current political and judicial environment.