;
Joe Biden extending a D-Day anniversary visit to France
beefing up his speaking engagements
speech on: "the importance of defending freedom and democracy"; Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky will be present
re Imran Khan/Pakistan - funny how Mehdi Hasan gets this special treatment, after quitting MSNBC:
29 May: Pakistan Today: Only regret is trusting General Bajwa: Imran Khan in exclusive interview from jail
By News Desk
Founder Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Imran Khan has given, currently serving multiple sentences in various cases at Adiala jail, gave an exclusive interview from Adiala jail to former Al Jazeera and MSNBC journalist Mehdi Hasan...
There are strict restrictions on Khan getting comments or messages out from Adiala jail. Previously he has only been able to opinion pieces published in prominent publications, presumably penned by someone from his party who he had briefed.
This is the first time that a feature length interview has been published by a news outlet. It is unclear how and when the interview was arranged by Mehdi and the PTI. The interview appeared in Mehdi’s private venture, Zeteo.
In the interview Khan says that he is being kept in a “death cell, typically reserved for terrorists”.
To a question about who Khan blames for his imprisonment he said, “the ordeal was solely orchestrated by General Bajwa”.
“General Bajwa single-handedly spread stories to countries like the U.S., painting me as anti-American or uninterested in good relations with them”, he added.
Mehdi goes on to ask him if he has any regrets to which Khan answers that his only regret is trusting General Bajwa...
Read full interview here (LINK).
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2024/05/29/only-regret-is-trusting-general-bajwa-imran-khan-in-exclusive-interview-from-jail/
first few paras, then behind paywall:
29 May: Zeteo: EXCLUSIVE: Imran Khan Talks to Me From Prison
The former Pakistani PM says he’s “confined to a death cell,” as he lambasts Pakistan’s political and military leaders.
by MEHDI HASAN
Mehdi: What is life behind bars like? Have you been subjected to mistreatment? Torture?
Imran Khan: I find myself confined in what is referred to as a death cell – a small, isolated space typically reserved for terrorists. The authorities are determined to cast me in this light. In solitary confinement, I am denied even the basic rights of a prisoner. They employ psychological tactics to break my spirit, but my heart, fortified by faith in Allah, remains strong. I keep myself occupied and mentally sharp through exercise and reading. Here, it’s all about preparing and conditioning oneself for whatever may come next. Allah’s strength keeps me resilient, content, and focused.
Q: Who do you blame for your current imprisonment? Your Pakistani political rivals, the Pakistani military, the United States? Or all of the above?
Over these past two years, I’ve had ample time to reflect, analyzing every move and its consequences. After 11 months in prison, I am certain that this ordeal was orchestrated solely by General Bajwa. I hold no one else responsible. He meticulously planned and executed this scheme, presenting himself as a deceitful figure, creating lies and false narratives to cause both national and international chaos – all to secure his extension. He utterly failed to grasp the detrimental impact of his actions on democracy and Pakistan.
Q: Do you still believe the Biden administration was involved in a coup to remove you from office?
(SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED)
https://zeteo.com/p/exclusive-imran-khan-talks-to-mehdi?publication_id=2325511&utm_campaign=email-post-title&r=624w&utm_medium=email