RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan has asked party leaders to resign from all parliamentary committees and directed the leadership not to participate in upcoming by-elections, as doing so would “legitimise” the polls, his sister Aleema Khan told reporters on Tuesday.
Speaking outside Adiala Jail after meeting her brother along with other family members and senior PTI leaders, Ms Aleema said Mr Khan’s “clear stance” was against contesting the by-elections, though differing views within the party would be considered.
Quoting the former premier, she said intimidation and solitary confinement would not force him into submission. “He will neither bow down nor strike a deal,” she said.
She added that it was the first time in four months that all sisters were allowed to meet Mr Khan together. His lawyers Salman Akram Raja, Barrister Gohar Khan and Ali Zafar also met him.
On his health, she said Mr Khan was generally fine but had developed an eye problem, for which a request was being filed in court to allow a medical examination by doctors from PIMS hospital.
She quoted the PTI founder as saying that punishments and disqualifications handed to him and his party leaders were “unprecedented in Pakistan,” and held the judiciary responsible for injustices. He had also been informed of the arrest of his nephews Sher Shah and Shahrez Azim.
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Imran Khan further criticised Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for “destroying cricket” and alleged that the media had been strangled into submission, leading to a loss of credibility.
On national issues, he said no military operation should have been launched in Waziristan as it would create instability. He opposed the expulsion of Afghan refugees, calling it “against Islamic values” and saying he felt ashamed over their forced repatriation. He also expressed grief over flood devastation in Buner and other areas, linking it to the importance of the Ten Billion Tree project.
Aleema added that her brother had rejected the resignation of PTI General Secretary Salman Akram Raja and directed the political committee to reconvene for further consultations. She said Bushra Bibi was in good health and described the court’s atmosphere earlier in the day as “positive.”
