Former defence secretary claims establishment contacted Imran Khan pre-polls

• Imran Khan was asked to admit he had planned May 9 attacks. 
• Lodhi claims there was no result of contact between two.
• Says he is not aware of any contact after Feb 8 elections.

ISLAMABAD: As the political temperature rises in the country, former secretary defence Lt-General (retd) Naeem Khalid Lodhi made major claims, saying that the military establishment had contacted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan but there was no outcome. 

Talking to The News, the retired general, without clarifying the time of the contact between the two, said it was in his knowledge that the establishment had indirectly contacted the former prime minister. 

Lt Gen (retd) Lodhi said the message for the PTI founder was to admit that he had planned the May 9 attacks, apologise for the same and assure that he would never repeat any such act in future.

The May 9 riots were triggered almost across the country after Imran Khan's arrest in the £190 million settlement case. Hundreds of PTI workers and senior leaders were put behind bars for their involvement in violence and attacks on military installations.

During the protests, the miscreants targeted the civil and military installations including — Jinnah House in Lahore and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The military termed May 9 "Black Day" and decided to try the protesters under the Army Act.

Lodhi added that Khan replied he never planned the May 9 attacks, condemned those involved in arson and hooliganism and said he would ensure those who were involved in these incidents were removed from the PTI.

General (retd) Lodhi further said that he was not aware of any post-election contact between the two but thinks there is a possibility of such initiatives.

According to the retired general, the former prime minister and PTI should accept the reality of the institution of the Pakistan Army and avoid confronting them.

He also added that since the PTI has emerged as the most popular political entity, the military establishment should also recognise it and pave the way for some reconciliation in the best interest of Pakistan.