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Tag: Imran Khan

  • ‘Osama Bin Laden is a martyr’: Anti-Imran Khan ads popup on trucks in US

    ‘Osama Bin Laden is a martyr’: Anti-Imran Khan ads popup on trucks in US

    Amid unprecedented support for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan from officials of Donald Trump’s incoming administration, multiple digital billboard trucks featuring controversial statements of the former premier have popped up across the United States (US).

    Undated videos on social media showed trucks driving around Washington DC among other cities in the US, displaying a digital billboard bearing Khan’s past remarks about the Afghan Taliban and late Al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden.

    “Osama bin Laden is a martyr,” read one of Khan’s statements. During his speech on the floor of the parliament during the 2020 budget session, then-prime minister (PM) Khan had said that Americans came to Abbottabad and “martyred Osama bin Laden”.

    Another statement by Khan displayed on the digital display read, “Taliban’s holy war in Afghanistan is justified by Islamic Law [sic].” The former premier had made the statement in October 2012 when he referred to Taliban’s anti-US fighters as jihadis.

    He had said whoever was fighting for their freedom was participating in jihad, and so the Afghan Taliban’s fight against foreign occupation was also jihad.

    Among other anti-Khan adverts displayed on the trucks was the news of his disqualification by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for lying about Tyrian White, as well as the alleged threats he hurled at police officers in Pakistan.

    With the campaign leaving netizens divided, some say it was planned to malign Khan ahead of Trump’s inauguration, whereas others said it was only a consequence of his “recklessness” since none of the statements were wrongly attributed to him.

    One social media user said such campaigns only affected Pakistan’s reputation on the global stage while another highlighted how supporting an “extremist” like the former Pakistani premier could end up being a “threat to national security”.

    “The diaspora must focus on unity and progress rather than divisive narratives. Let’s channel our energies towards building a stronger Pakistan together,” said one user. Another netizen said that true patriotism was about constructive actions, not blind allegiance. “It’s time to support leaders and initiatives that genuinely prioritise the nation’s welfare.”

    Jailed Khan and his PTI have in recent weeks garnered quite the support from officials of the upcoming US administration amid social media campaigns calling on Trump to push for the release of the ousted former PM.

    While Trump is yet to comment on the issue and Pakistan maintains that Khan’s trials and sentence are an internal matter, the president-elect’s aide on special missions Richard Grenell has been rather vocal in demanding the PTI founder’s freedom.

  • We’re praying Imran Khan gets convicted tomorrow: Aleema Khan

    We’re praying Imran Khan gets convicted tomorrow: Aleema Khan

    Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, while talking to reporters today, stated that the courts would announce punishment for Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case tomorrow. 

    Imran Khan has faced these cases against him with so much patience while in prison, but you keep bringing up the stories of the deals,” she said, further commending him and adding, “He should be awarded an honourable mention.”

    Aleema also asserted that the cases against Khan could have been completed “within four days, but it has taken them more than a year to drag them out,” adding that “When he [Imran Khan] comes out, we all will find out the legitimacy of these cases.”

    She also said, “We are praying that Imran Khan will be punished tomorrow. Have you ever imagined we would say something like this? After his punishment, the case should be taken out of the jail court and brought to the High Court.”

    The verdict in the £190m Al-Qadir Trust case against Imran Khan and his spouse, Bushra Bibi, was expected to be announced on January 13; however, the verdict was postponed for the third time.

    Judge Nasir Javed Rana cited the absence of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi from appearing before the court in Adiala Jail as the primary reason for the postponement.

    “Bushra Bibi had knowledge of the verdict being announced but did not appear before the court,” Judge Rana said. “The PTI founder was sent a message twice, but he also did not appear in court.”

    The judge also mentioned that he had been present in court since 8:30 am, but “neither the suspects nor their lawyers appeared.” “The decision — fully ready and signed — is with me today,’ he asserted.

    “The suspects were also given numerous chances during the trial,” Judge Rana added. According to the court, Imran had told jail officials that he would not appear in court until his lawyers and family members arrived.

    Previously, the decision in the Al-Qadir Trust case had been postponed twice, on December 23, 2024, and January 6, 2025. It is now expected that the decision will be announced on January 17.

    The Al-Qadir Trust case revolves around the allegation that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi illegally obtained billions of rupees and land worth hundreds of kanals from Bahria Town Ltd to legalise Rs50 billion that was identified and returned to the country by the United Kingdom during the previous PTI government.

  • ‘Ridiculous’: Imran Khan breaks silence on Al-Qadir verdict delays

    ‘Ridiculous’: Imran Khan breaks silence on Al-Qadir verdict delays

    The official page of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has reacted to the third deferment of the Al Qadir Trust case against him and former First Lady Bushra Bibi.

    In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, the official page of incarcerated Khan stated that the verdict for the Al Qadir Trust case could have been announced without his presence. He noted, “Delaying the decision under the pretence of my absence is utterly ridiculous and makes a mockery of the judicial system.”

    “In two previous cases, judges Abul Hasanat and Muhammad Bashir announced verdicts in my absence,” it read.

    The accountability court deferred the case on Monday, citing Khan and Bibi’s failure to appear before the court on time, marking the third delay in the verdict.

    Judge Nasir Javed Rana said he had been present in the court since 8:30 am; however, “neither the suspects nor their lawyers appeared […] the decision was fully ready and signed.”

    Rana claimed that the PTI founder had been informed twice to appear before the court.

    The post, however, rebutted the claims by saying, “The trial for the Al-Qadir Trust case always begins between 11:30 am and 12:00. Yesterday, the hearing was scheduled for 11:00 am, but even before my lawyers arrived, I was informed around 9:00 am that the judge had already arrived.”

    It has also been asserted that Khan’s movements have been restricted to jail, and it is his legal right to appear in court alongside lawyers.

    Previously, the decision was postponed twice, on December 23, 2024, and January 6, 2025, and the decision will now be announced on January 17 (Friday).

    The case alleges that Khan and Bushra Bibi obtained billions of rupees and land worth hundreds of canals from Bahria Town Ltd. to legalise Rs50 billion that the United Kingdom National Crime Agency (NCA) identified and returned to the country during the PTI government.

    Khan’s official page posted, “The Al-Qadir Trust has no connection to this money; the trust was established a year before the arrival of these funds.”

    The post dismissed the claims of accepting any deal with the government and establishment, saying, “Let me make it clear that I will not make any deals, no matter what tactics are used.”

    Khan described the country’s economy as being in “dire” condition and stated that he believes foreign investment is currently at a historic low.

    “The SIFC and Udaan programs have failed miserably. With no growth in the growth rate, unemployment is rising in the country. Brilliant minds and capital are leaving the country rapidly because no one has faith in the country’s stability,” he added.

  • Pakistani courts will decide Imran Khan’s fate, clarifies US

    Pakistani courts will decide Imran Khan’s fate, clarifies US

    A Spokesperson for the United States (US) State Department clarified on Tuesday that courts in Pakistan have to decide legal cases against the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan.

    The US State Department emphasised that decisions on Imran Khan’s cases must be taken as per Pakistani law and constitution. 

    Geo News asked the US State Department about the statements often made by former special representatives to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad, and members of the US Congress, about the release of imprisoned former Premier Imran Khan.

    “We do not comment on Congressional correspondence…legal proceedings against the former Prime Minister are matters for the Pakistani courts to decide,” the US State Department said in an emailed response to Geo News.

    Zalmay Khalilzad has been vocal about releasing former Premier Imran Khan.

    Khalilzad took to X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, writing, “#Pakistan continues to face triple crises: political (the jailing of @ImranKhan), economic (see below), and security (with intensified fighting with Afghanistan and hundreds of Pakistanis killed.  Pakistan needs a reset.  It must start with freedom for Imran Khan.”

    Following the victory of the US presidential election of Donald J. Trump, the former special representatives to Afghanistan, in a post on X in November last year, noted: “With Trump’s victory in the #USA election, how would General Assim Munir explain the ongoing unjustified imprisonment of his friend Imran Khan. It is time to release Imran Khan and others who are being held without a fair judicial process.”

    Members of the US House of Representatives, from both the Republican and Democratic parties, have repeatedly urged outgoing President Joe Biden to advocate for the immediate release of Imran Khan and all other political prisoners in Pakistan.

    On August 5, 2024, the PTI founder was arrested after his conviction in the Tosha Khana case. Khan is currently held in Adiala Jail Rawalpindi under B-class facilities.

    The US State Department spokesperson underscored the important relationship between the US and Pakistan regarding human rights. “We are in regular communication with Pakistani authorities on human rights and other key issues,” he said.

    Recently, the US had appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in reforming the economy to deal with financial challenges.

    The spokesperson of the US State Department, while speaking in a press briefing, said that the US welcomes the agreement between Pakistan and the IMF, adding, “Pakistan is taking steps to stabilise its economy.”

  • Looks like Imran Khan doesn’t want dialogue: Rana Sanaullah

    Looks like Imran Khan doesn’t want dialogue: Rana Sanaullah

    Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, while appearing on ARY News on December 7, expressed disappointment over a recent post made by Imran Khan’s official X (formerly Twitter) account amidst ongoing negotiation between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    “Only they [PTI] can explain why such a strong statement came from Imran Khan’s account during dialogue; however, it is highly unfortunate,” said the former interior minister.

    The government and PTI, for the first time in almost two years, have broken the ice by agreeing to talk their issues out for “greater national interests”.

    “Khawaja Asif’s analysis is absolutely true that when dialogue begins between two parties or is about to start, then both parties, especially the leadership of both parties, must choose their words very carefully so as not to damage the peace. It is a known fact that PTI’s negotiation committee won’t agree to a single condition without Imran Khan’s approval. Such a post made by Imran Khan after a long time points to two facts: either he does not want a dialogue, or he believes nothing will come out of it,” stated the senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader.

    Rana Sanaullah opined that political dialogue can never stop in any kind of democratic setup.

    Founder PTI Imran Khan’s official X (formerly Twitter) account made a long post on January 7 targeting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, stating: “I have witnessed all Martial Laws imposed on Pakistan during my lifetime, including those under Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Zia-ul-Haq, and Musharraf. What is happening in the country today in the guise of democracy can only be compared to Yahya Khan’s era. In order to ensure that no one raises their voice against the ruler’s transgressions, the first targets in martial law are democracy, an independent judiciary, and free media.”

    “What kind of democracy is this where the name of the chairman of Pakistan’s largest and most popular political party cannot even be mentioned in the media?” read the post by Imran Khan on X. 

    Imran Khan also criticised the ongoing proceedings of the Al-Qadir Trust case, saying: “The Al-Qadir Trust case, like previous cases, is being dragged on only to pressure me, but I demand its immediate resolution because, just as you were exposed in the Toshakhana and the Cipher cases, the same will happen now.”

  • Talks over? Imran lashes out at Shehbaz, COAS

    Talks over? Imran lashes out at Shehbaz, COAS

    Founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan’s official X (formerly Twitter) recent post on January 7 has lashed out at Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir amidst ongoing dialogue between the government and PTI.

    “I have witnessed all Martial Laws imposed on Pakistan during my lifetime, including those under Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Zia-ul-Haq, and Musharraf. What is happening in the country today in the guise of democracy can only be compared to Yahya Khan’s era. In order to ensure that no one raises their voice against the ruler’s transgressions, the first targets in martial law are democracy, an independent judiciary, and free media,” read the long post by Imran Khan’s official X account.

    The government and PTI, for the first time in almost two years, have broken the ice by agreeing to talk their issue out for “greater national interests”.

    National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq is reportedly facilitating and leading the negotiations during which the PTI has repeatedly expressed concerns over authorities’ alleged campaign to “dismantle” the opposition party.

    Many analysts have opined that the social media accounts of PTI leaders, especially Imran Khan’s official accounts, engage in exclusionary politics targeting state institutions, which could be a pressure tactic in negotiations.

    Former PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry, while talking to senior journalist Absar Alam on December 5, stated: “There needs to be a clear distinction between official PTI leaders’ social media posts and certain rogue elements who align themselves with PTI. Many of my PTI friends get angry with me when I tell them there isn’t much effort visible as it should be from PTI leaders to dissociate themselves from rogue elements.”

    The journalist questioned the former federal minister that apart from a few rogue elements the minister mentioned, PTI leaders’ official accounts also engage in hateful politics, to which he replied: “When has Azhar Mashwani engaged in hateful posts against the country or establishment? In the case of Shahbaz Gill, a great injustice was done to him, and that is why sometimes he reacts angrily. Even you were treated unjustly. In my opinion, Shahbaz Gill is one of those people who were treated wrong, and that is why they’re bitter.”

    “What kind of democracy is this where the name of the chairman of Pakistan’s largest and most popular political party cannot even be mentioned in the media?” read the post by Imran Khan on X.

    Imran Khan also criticised the ongoing proceedings of the Al-Qadir Trust case, saying: “The Al-Qadir Trust case, like previous cases, is being dragged on only to pressure me, but I demand its immediate resolution because, just as you were exposed in the Toshakhana and the Cipher cases, the same will happen now.”

    Criticising the government for handling the negotiations with PTI, Khan’s post stated: “Bushra Khan has no contact with anyone. This is mere propaganda. Our negotiation committee is handling these matters. It has been six weeks since the Islamabad massacre, yet the government has made no progress in retrieving our missing persons. This highlights the government’s lack of seriousness in conducting successful negotiations.”

  • ‘Saudis in contact with US over Imran Khan,’ claims journalist

    ‘Saudis in contact with US over Imran Khan,’ claims journalist

    Senior journalist Muneeb Farooq has claimed that Saudi authorities do not like Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and are “in contact with” their American counterparts over him.

    “Saudi Arabia has sent messages to the US. The Saudis are already in contact with the upcoming US administration and they [Saudis] do not have any affection for Imran Khan,” Farooq said in a video on his YouTube channel, referring to recent social media posts by members of the upcoming US administration, who publicly expressed support for incarcerated Khan.

    PTI leadership and party supporters have pinned their hopes on the upcoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump ever since the Republican nominee swept the polls in November 2024. Pakistani political atmosphere was hit by a storm when Trump’s nominee for Presidential Envoy on Special Missions Richard Grenell openly called for Khan’s release in December.

    Farooq’s claims come weeks after Khan’s spouse Bushra Bibi stirred a political storm by accusing Saudi Arabia of playing a role in her husband’s ouster from power back in 2022.

    In a rare appearance ahead of PTI’s unsuccessful November 24 protests, the former first lady released a video statement alleging that Saudi leadership wanted Khan out and had expressed their reservations to then army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

    “The reason behind all powers standing against Khan hasn’t been told before. When Khan went to Madinah barefoot, Bajwa immediately started receiving calls about what kind of person he had brought [with him],” she had said.

    According to Bushra’s allegations, Saudi leadership told Gen Bajwa that he had brought with him the “custodian of Shariah” at a time they were trying to “distance themselves from the Shariah system”. “After this, a smear campaign was launched against us and [they] started calling Khan a Jewish agent,” the former first lady had claimed.

    Members of the government had condemned Bushra Bibi’s claims and called it an attempt to harm Pakistan’s relations with a critical ally.

    The blowback had prompted Khan’s official X account to claim that his wife’s statement had “deliberately been taken out of context”.

    “She didn’t mention Saudi Arabia at all. My government was toppled through conspiracies, all orchestrated by General Bajwa,” the statement had added.

    It further said that bilateral relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were at their best during his tenure and he personally shared “excellent” relations with the Kingdom’s leadership. “I have excellent relations with Saudi Arabia. When I was attacked in Wazirabad, one of the first calls I received was through the embassy from HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.”

    Journalist Muneeb Farooq is known for accurately predicting political developments in Pakistan. He has also time and again been credited with breaking major news stories. Check out what he had to say about the country’s political landscape in an exclusive interview with The Current:

  • ‘Comeback’s gonna be strong’: Talha Anjum posts Imran Khan’s jawani ki photo

    ‘Comeback’s gonna be strong’: Talha Anjum posts Imran Khan’s jawani ki photo

    Rapper Talha Anjum of the popular band Young Stunners has shared an Instagram story featuring an old picture of Imran Khan, the former cricketer and prime minister of Pakistan. 


     The story caption was, “Comeback’s gonna be strong. #804.” 

    Talha Anjum is known for his vocal support of Imran Khan.

    On August 2022, the Kaun Talha singer tweeted in favor of the leader, showing his unwavering support.  

    Imran Khan, known for leading Pakistan to its first cricket World cup victory in 1992, was the captain of the team. He served as Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022. On August 5, 2023, Khan was arrested from his residence at Zaman Park in Lahore on multiple charges.

     
     Here Talha Anjum’s story:


     Here are some previous Talha Anjum tweets:

    In 2024, rapper, singer and lyricist Talha Anjum made history by becoming the most streamed local artist in Pakistan for 2024, surpassing Atif Aslam, who held the top spot for three consecutive years.

  • Ali Amin Gandapur pays seven crore rupees fee to Imran Khan’s lawyers in one month, says Sher Afzal Marwat

    Ali Amin Gandapur pays seven crore rupees fee to Imran Khan’s lawyers in one month, says Sher Afzal Marwat

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Khan Marwat has claimed that Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur paid seven crore rupees fee to party founder Imran Khan’s lawyer.

    Speaking with Azaad Urdu, Marwat expressed disappointment over the massive fees which are being paid to former Premier Imran Khan’s lawyer. “It is not justified that more than a crore rupees is paid to lawyers in one case,” he stated. 

    “It is in my knowledge that exorbitant fees have been paid to lawyers. The fees paid to the lawyers are so high that, if calculated, each day Imran Khan spends in jail is costing more than lac,” he said.

    However, Marwat clarified that Imran Khan nominated lawyers for his cases.

    He emphasised that there should have been negotiations regarding the fees. “I am a lawyer myself, and I know what costs are reasonable [for lawyer fee],” he added.

    Sher Afzal Marwat stressed, “Having money doesn’t mean that there should be no accountability. There must be proper financial transparency with the lawyers, and a reasonable fee should be paid to lawyers.”

    Additionally, the PTI leader also said that he had not charged a single rupee when he was Imran Khan’s counsel in multiple cases.

    Moreover, Marwat maintained that he had represented several PTI leaders, including CM KP Ali Amin Gandapur, former Speaker of National Assembly Asad Qaiser and Member National Assembly (MNA) Shandana Gulzar Khan in courts and did not charge them even a single penny.

    Asked about how much fee he charged for one case, Marwat linked his fee to the client’s financial conditions: “Sometimes, I had charged one crore from a client who could afford it; however, apart from Imran Khan and PTI leaders, I have taken two cases free of charge.”

    Commenting on the 34-year sentence of former CM Gilgit Baltistan (GB) Khalid Khurshid, Marwat made a witty jab at the GB court by saying that life imprisonment in Pakistan is limited to 25 years only if someone killed a person.

    Marwat said he wants to salute the GB judiciary for surpassing the Pakistani judiciary in terms of justice by sentencing Khalid Khurshid for 34-years. 

    A GB anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Tuesday sentenced ex-CM Khalid Khurshid Khan to 34 years in prison for threatening security institutions at a party rally in July last year.

  • Bushra Bibi hypnotised Imran Khan: Nabil Gabol

    Bushra Bibi hypnotised Imran Khan: Nabil Gabol

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Nabil Gabol on Wednesday, while referring to former First Lady Bushra Bibi’s influence in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) decision-making, stated that former Premier Imran Khan has been hypnotised by his wife, Bushra Bibi.

    “I believe Bushra Bibi has hypnotised Imran Khan. Now, it has been proved that Bushra Bibi has Moakkal [jinn under command]. If he [Imran Khan] is sent across the seven seas, the magic’s effect on him would fade,” Gabol said.

    “PTI’s new leadership is controlled by Bushra Bibi instead of Imran Khan. PTI MNAs are themselves worried, […] Bushra Bibi does not implement Imran Khan’s decision,” he said, adding that change in PTI leadership severely affected Imran Khan’s politics. 

    While acknowledging that founder PTI Imran Khan was a popular leader until now, he asserted “Imran Khan is not popular as a politician.”

    Speaking about the PTI negotiation with the incumbent government and establishment, he remarked that the founder of PTI, Imran Khan, engaged in talks for a long time with the establishment.

    Former Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) member Nabil Gabol observed that Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif was not focusing on government affairs as the country’s premier. “It seems Shehbaz Sharif wants to do something, but he is unable to do so […] his team is not good,” he added.

    Underscoring the unsatisfactory performance of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) led government, Gabol suggested that the government should offer the driving seat to PPP.

    Gabol complained that PML-N has not fulfilled some of their commitments, noting, “Disloyalty is in the nature of the PML-N. Their own people used to say that ‘Mian Sahib’ don’t used to be faithful,” he added.

    When the journalist asked how PML-N came to power if their party leader is disloyal to others, Gabol concluded by saying that they have good fortune, adding, “Nawaz Sharif was born with a golden spoon in his mouth.”

    Regarding the last year passed 26th Constitutional Amendment, Gabol said that the PPP affectionally achieved the required numbers to pass the amendment, adding that they don’t have steel in their necks as other party members have.

    It should be mentioned here that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s PPP is the key ally of the PML-N-led government in the centre. PPP had played a key role in the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment last year.