Bajwa Repeatedly Told Me Pakistan Army Not Equipped Or Prepared For War With India: Imran Khan

Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, revealed that Pakistan Army Chief, Qamar Javed Bajwa, repeatedly told him that Pakistan Army is not equipped nor prepared for a war with India.

He made this comment during an interview with the US-based think tank Atlantic Council on June 18.

Imran Khan who till 2021 seems to be supported by the Army and the establishment said that, the former Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa used to tell him (Khan) frequently that "the Army was not equipped or prepared for a war with India".

Khan confirming that backchannel peace talks with India did take place after India amended Article 370, removing the special status of Jammu and Kashmir said, "All I know is that there was supposed to be a quid pro quo. India was supposed to give some concession".

Khan confirming that a visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also planned said, "I was going to then (after India gave some roadmap for the situation in Kashmir) host Prime Minister Modi in Pakistan. But it never materialized".

Khan also confirmed that there were plans to restore trade relations with India, but couldn't say why the talks didn't move forward.

He said, "I don’t remember the trade talks".

However, without missing an opportunity to blame the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Prime Minister Modi-led Indian government for the failure of peace talks said, "I tried everything, but I came across this brick wall“.

"And I realized it’s something to do with the RSS-BJP mentality where they’ve cashed in on hostility with Pakistan. That’s all," Khan explained.

Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-i-insaaf (PTI) chief Khan was removed from power in April 2022, after losing a no-confidence vote.

Shahbaz Sharif, the brother of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, was elected as the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Imran Khan was subsequently slapped with various corruption, and terrorism charges. A Pakistani court has indicted Khan in one case — the Toshkhana Corruption Case — where Khan is accussed of selling gifts given by various heads of state for personal benefit.

There were widespread riots in the country after Khan was arrested by the police from the Islamabad High court. More than 51 people were killed in the riots. Khan is currently out on bail.

Pakistan's economy, on the other hand, is on the verge of collapse and the government is working on negotiating a bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Just days ago, China extended a loan worth $1 billion to save Pakistan's economy from collapse.

Pakistan is also negotiating a $2 billion swap from the Chinese, as well.