Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson Imran Khan revealed that he was aware that his government was in danger since July 2021 and as a result didn’t want the then Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt-General Faiz Hameed to be changed.

“I wanted him to continue serving as the director-general of the ISI during the difficult winter season when the fallout of the Afghan infighting was imminent.”

“I was aware of a possible civil war in Afghanistan last summer. I was afraid of the fallout in Pakistan as an aftermath of the possible war on Afghan soil. I didn’t want the ISI chief to be changed before winter, as it was a difficult time,” said Khan. “I was aware that the PML-N was planning to remove me. I was aware of their plans since last July so I didn’t want our intelligence chief changed.”

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Khan accused his former aides Jahangir Khan Tareen and Aleem Khan of seeking illegal benefits from him. He further revealed that the differences were developed among them when he refused to do what they asked for.

Khan made these comments in a podcast on Thursday.

The former prime minister said, “Aleem Khan expected me to legalise his 300-acre land near Ravi”.

“I developed differences with Aleem after this. Their cases were in NAB and his name was in Pandora Papers as well.”

Commenting on Tareen, Khan said that his problem was the sugar crisis.

While responding to another question about his party’s ties with the establishment, Imran rubbished speculation that he wanted Lt-Gen Faiz Hameed to be the next army chief.

“You don’t replace an intelligence chief during difficult circumstances,” he said.

Khan also said that, unlike Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif, he never wanted to control the army as he had a ‘clean record’ and didn’t fear anyone.

Khan also commented that he was welcomed in British society but he never considered England his home because he is a Pakistani. Giving an example that if one draws lines on a donkey it doesn’t become a zebra. A donkey remains a donkey.