Bajwa hinted to impose martial law in Pakistan, claims Zardari

Islamabad: Former President and Pakistan Peoples Party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Friday claimed that the former army chief, Qamar Javed Bajwa, was indicating that martial law would be imposed.

Zardari made this claim in an interview to a local private TV channel.

“When Qamar Javed Bajwa hinted at imposing martial law in the country, we responded with 'Bismillah' and asked him to proceed. We engage in farming, and you should run the country now. However, he backed down from his stance after our response,” said Zardari.

He said that Bajwa had informed him that he would take Imran Khan's resignation, and Zardari and Maulana Fazlur Rehman should proceed with the election phase. However, they rejected the proposal. Zardari also alleged that Imran Khan planned to govern the country until 2035 and wished to appoint his own army chief.  He stated that the political situation in Punjab affects the entire country.

The PPP leader said that if elections are held in Pakistan on the same day, it is the constitutional right of all political parties. He added that all political parties should decide on the election schedule as soon as possible. Zardari stated that they are attempting to hold elections in October of this year, but he cannot comment on their strategy for the next elections.

When asked about lodging a false case, Zardari responded that the current opposition should provide details. He claimed that there was a difference between his and Imran Khan's domicile and that anyone with a Sindh domicile could become prime minister.

Zardari also discussed Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US envoy, stating that he is a "paid servant" apparently hired by a lobby and is an "agent." He emphasized that they are also working to safeguard Pakistan's Constitution and that they increased the salaries of judges to encourage good people to step forward. Bilawal Bhutto had previously claimed that Imran Khan had been expelled, but his followers remained, according to Zardari.