ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan does not see government lasting more than four to five months, and believes that its fall will pave the way for his re­­lease from Adiala Jail.

Talking to reporters at Adi­a­la Jail, Mr Khan said this was the reason why the PPP did not join the cabinet. He claimed that a decision in his case had already been made and termed the proceedings a mere formality.

Mr Khan said the case against him was baseless, claiming that the exchequer did not suffer any loss as the amount transferred from the UK was held by the government, and there was no element of criminality. He said Malik Riaz transferred the amount for the purchase of a house in the UK, adding that the seller was Hassan Nawaz Sharif who had bought the property for Rs9bn but sold it for Rs18bn. Mr Khan said Hassan Nawaz should be asked to provide the money trail.

The PTI founder said that the current state of affairs had exposed the entire system, adding that everything was being manipulated; the ECP, the caretaker government and the establishment are all in on it together.

Mr Khan lamented that Pakistan’s ties with Iran and Afghanistan had been soured and expressed the apprehension that it would lead to an increase in terrorism.

Meanwhile, the judicial magistrate of Barakahu, Suhaib Bilal Ranjha, acqui­tted Mr Khan, Shah Mehmood Qureshi and others in a case related to inciting the protesters for violence on May 26, 2022 during a march organised against then PDM government.

Judge Ranjha observed that prosecution did not pr­­o­­duce any tangible eviden­­ce that could connect the suspects with the crime. He acquitted the susp­e­cts, ob­­serving that there was no chance of conviction.