In a powerful message relayed through his sister, Aleema Khan, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has urged his party to gear up for a sweeping nationwide movement aimed at challenging the current government’s authority. Speaking to journalists outside the prison on Monday, Aleema conveyed Imran’s resolve to confront what he describes as systemic oppression, vowing never to yield to pressure.
Imran, the former prime minister, emphasized a decentralized approach to the movement, stating, “This will not be limited to calling people to Islamabad. We will mobilize across every corner of Pakistan.” He reiterated his unwavering commitment to resisting intimidation, even if it means spending the rest of his life in confinement. “No amount of hardship will make me compromise my principles,” he declared through Aleema.
Aleema highlighted the harsh conditions Imran has faced in jail, noting that he has been stripped of basic rights afforded to other prisoners. “For eight months, he’s been allowed only one short call with his children, and even his sisters have been barred from meeting him,” she said. She also revealed that authorities have blocked attempts to provide him with books and denied his personal doctors access, actions she described as deliberate attempts to isolate and pressure him.
Imran also addressed speculations about his wife, Bushra Bibi, being imprisoned to weaken his resolve. “This is a tactic to break me, but I will not surrender,” he asserted. Aleema dismissed rumors of secret negotiations for Imran’s release, particularly those suggesting foreign involvement. “These stories are being spread to mislead the public and dampen their spirit,” she clarified.
On the party’s direction, Imran emphasized PTI’s ideological roots, distancing it from opportunistic politics. “We are not a party of electables; we are driven by a vision for justice and change. Those who don’t share our values have no place among us,” Aleema quoted him as saying.
Aleema also shed light on Imran’s frustration with the judicial system, particularly the prolonged delays in his legal cases. “A corruption case has been stalled for over three months, despite assurances from judges for swift action,” she noted. In a show of solidarity with the judiciary, PTI lawmakers are set to visit key courts, with Punjab MNAs heading to the Lahore High Court and those from Islamabad and Peshawar rallying at the Islamabad High Court.
Imran’s call for a nationwide movement signals a new phase in PTI’s strategy, aiming to galvanize supporters across Pakistan in a unified push against the government. As preparations begin, the nation watches closely to see how this movement will unfold.
