Current Final

Tag: PTI

  • PTI leadership ‘discusses option’ to call off much-hyped Nov 24 protest

    PTI leadership ‘discusses option’ to call off much-hyped Nov 24 protest

    In view of former first lady Bushra Bibi’s controversial statement regarding Saudi Arabia and the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) decision against the party’s countrywide protest, the political committee of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is considering the option to call off its November 24 protest In Islamabad.

    The IHC, in a petition filed against PTI’s protest, has directed the federal capital’s administration to hold peaceful negotiations with the party, noting that if talks fail, the Interior Ministry should ensure order in accordance with the law.

    The verdict was followed by a video message by incarcerated former prime minister (PM) Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi, wherein she called on workers to not shy away from taking to streets, and hinted at alleged Saudi involvement PTI government’s ouster. The claims did not sit well with party leaders and supporters alike.

    In light of said developments, it was reported Saturday that a majority of PTI’s political committee members were in favour of calling off the much-hyped protest in case negotiations were initiated with the government.

    After the decision, a delegation of the PTI paid a visit to Adiala Jail for the party founder’s consent; however, a meeting with Khan could not take place.


      
    Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Ali Amin Gandapur hosted a meeting of party leaders in Peshawar to discuss strategy surrounding the Nov 24 call. The meeting came as the CM’s aide, Barrister Saif, stated that the party was considering to challenge the IHC decision and go forth with the protest call.

    Situation in Islamabad

    In view of the PTI’s reported decision, strict security measures are being taken by the federal government to tackle the former ruling party’s protest.

    While Section 144 has been imposed in the federal capital for two months, the administration has also sought an additional 8,000 police personnel along with the deployment of Rangers and Frontier Constabulary (FC).

    The government is also likely to suspend mobile services across the country.

    Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has issued stern directions to authorities to prevent the protesters from entering the federal capital, reports quoted sources as saying. Police vans have been delivered to Islamabad and necessary preparations have been finalised regarding the demonstrators’ arrest and where arrested party workers will be kept afterwards, they added.

    It merits a mention that Khan’s party, in recent months, has marched on the federal capital multiple times since after his arrest last year, with most protests ending in violent clashes with law enforcement.

    PTI’s Nov 24 protest comes in the backdrop of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko upcoming visit to the capital from Nov 25 to 27.

  • Punjab govt bans gatherings; motorway closure announced

    Punjab govt bans gatherings; motorway closure announced

    As the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) gears up for its nationwide November 24 protest and march on Islamabad, the Punjab government has imposed Section 144 across the province for three days.

    Motorway Police, on the other hand, has announced closure of the road network for ‘maintenance’.

    In a notification issued Friday, the provincial government said that Section 144 will continue to remain in effect from Nov 23 till Nov 25, leading to restrictions on public gatherings, protests, rallies and processions.

    Earlier, a notification pertaining to imposition of Section 144 in Islamabad was also issued. Rangers and Frontier Constabulary (FC) troops were deployed in Rawalpindi, Attock and Jhelum as Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that no sit-in will be permitted in the federal capital.

    “I want no shop, business, or road to be closed,” Naqvi said on the potential closure of businesses during PTI’s protest.

    Motorways Closure

    Meanwhile, Motorway Police announced the closure of all motorways on Friday (today) at 8 pm, citing maintenance work.

    Major motorways, including Pindi Bhattian to Multan M4, Sialkot to Lahore M11, Dera Ismail Khan to Hakla M14, Lahore to Islamabad M2 and Peshawar to Islamabad M1, will remain closed until further notice, motorway authority said in a statement.

    The closures and imposition of Section 144 come two days ahead of PTI’s “final and decisive” protest for the release of party founder Imran Khan, who has been behind bars for over a year in Rawalpindi.

    While PTI is determined to hold “peaceful demonstrations”, the government has denied any permission to the former ruling party in this regard.

    “Forty-one funerals have been held there [KP], and here they are coming to Islamabad for protest. The KP government itself is assaulting the capital,” Interior Minister Naqvi said Friday.

    Ruling out the possibility of negotiations with the PTI, he said there was no room for talks if the party leadership was holding sit-ins and protests. “On one hand they talk about protests, and on the other, they talk about negotiations.”

    Mobile network & internet suspension

    On Thursday, it was reported that the federal government has announced the partial suspension of internet and mobile services in Islamabad and areas of KP and Punjab in light of said protests.

    A private media outlet reported that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will activate firewall for social media blocking besides suspending mobile internet service on November 23.

    The report also quoted sources as claiming that internet and mobile services might be suspended at certain locations at any time. The shutdown could result in users being unable to download audio and videos from social media apps.

  • Bushra Bibi under fire for playing ‘religion card’, her claims against Saudi leadership

    Bushra Bibi under fire for playing ‘religion card’, her claims against Saudi leadership

    Former first lady Bushra Bibi is receiving severe backlash for her “uncalled for” video message wherein she accused Saudi leadership of playing a role in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s ouster, besides “unnecessarily playing the religion card”.

    Bushra Bibi, in a video message shared on PTI’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, alleged that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) played a role in her husband’s ouster as prime minister (PM).

    In a rare appearance ahead of PTI’s “decisive” November 24 protests, the former first lady went on to claim that the Saudi leadership 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 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 claimed.

    Bushra also rejected rumours regarding the postponement of the scheduled party protest in the federal capital and called on PTI supporters to participate in the release of her husband.

    However, neither her allegations nor the use of religious rhetoric sit well with PTI leaders and supporters alike. The same was also heavily criticised by government members.

    Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said that implicating Saudi Arabia for “petty political point scoring” exposed the PTI’s “desperate mindset”.

    “We urge all political forces to desist from compromising Pakistan’s foreign policy in pursuance of their political objectives,” he said in a statement, adding that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were close friends and brothers.

    “This relationship is based on mutual respect,” Dar added.

    Speaking to a private media outlet, former federal information minister and PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said that the statement would affect the party’s reputation.

    While some members of the PTI, including KP CM’s adviser Barrister Muhammad Saif and Khan’s close aide tried to defend the former first lady, saying that her statements had been taken “out of context” and she “did not name anyone”, netizens did not shy away from calling Bushra out.

    Musician and staunch supporter of the PTI, Salman Ahmad, said Bushra Bibi was “corrupt” and a “constant source of embarrassment” for Khan.

    “Corrupt and greedy Bushra Bibi and her family and equally corrupt friends like Malik Riaz Zulfi Bokhari, Farah Gogi and Gen Faiz were a constant source of embarrassment for Imran Khan who did not enter politics to enrich himself [sic],” he posted on X.

    They, he added, provided the excuses through their behavior. “It’s disgusting to say that he was removed because he walked barefoot in Mecca. So uneducated and so stupid.”

    “PTI can twist however it wants to, but this is a poorly done mess up that was not needed, and especially not at this time. With all due respect, Bushra Bibi carries no clout or trust within the PTI audience and her messaging is entirely off point undermining Imran Khan and his movement. Whoever came up with this idea to put her on the screen within PTI should be kept in a 10-mile distance from any decision making,” posted one user.

    Another use said Bushra Bibi had “no relevance” to the PTI. “Not sure why she was trounced out to give message. When has Khan ever brought her in public to say even one word! @PTIofficial should say true to the vision and spirit Khan always said… it’s all about justice and the people and never about family leadership!”

    “All due respect to his sisters and wife… stay out of politics. Unless you want to join and then work through the party ranks. Wrt [sic] to what might have been said or not said it’s all speculation,” they said.

    “Let’s not bring religion into everything… whether someone walks with bare foot or not… it’s spreading jahiliyat in an illiterate population. Please stop selling illiteracy to keep the people happy with you. Keep your beliefs to yourself!” the user added.

  • Imran Khan okays negotiating with ‘powerful quarters’

    Imran Khan okays negotiating with ‘powerful quarters’

    As the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) gears up to march on the federal capital, party founder Imran Khan has given the nod to initiate talks with “powerful quarters”, Khan’s counsel Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry has said.

    “The PTI founder has agreed to hold talks in a nearly two-hour meeting with [party chairman] Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and [Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister] Ali Amin Gandapur at Adiala Jail,” Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry told a private media outlet.

    Imran Khan’s counsel maintained that Barrister Gohar and CM Gandapur had visited the incarcerated former premier in jail to seek his approval for talks with the government and establishment.

    The development comes as the government reportedly tries to reach out to the PTI leadership to “call off” its scheduled November 24 protest in Islamabad.


    According to reports, the incumbent government’s initial contact with PTI was positive, and the party could “call off” the protest in exchange for some assurances on their demands.

     
    Meanwhile, CM Gandapur is expected to raise the issue of incarcerated party founder Imran Khan and his party’s ongoing troubles with the establishment at an Apex Committee meeting to be chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

    Khan’s sister Aleema Khan maintains that her brother has only given a deadline till Thursday for party leaders to hold dialogue with “powerful quarters” regarding the release of party workers.


    It merits a mention that Khan’s “final call” for protests in the federal capital comes days after a foreign media outlet reported the establishment’s stance on possible negotiations.


    London-based The Guardian had last week quoted senior military sources as ruling out the possibility of striking a deal or negotiating with Khan. The report came days after the former premier expressed willingness to engage in talks with the military leadership from his jail cell at Adiala.

    According to reports, the British newspaper had sent a questionnaire to Khan via his legal team, and in his responses, the incarcerated PTI founder confirmed that he had not had any direct interaction with the military since after he was arrested and locked up in August 2023.


    Khan, however, said he would not rule out striking a deal with the establishment.

    The report quoted senior military leadership as saying that Khan, for the past few months, had been “applying pressure” for discussions with the military and had even offered to hold unconditional talks while seeking a deal for his release.

    However, the military leadership was resolute in refusing to enter into any negotiations with him, the report said.

  • ‘If people voted on basis of performance, PTI wouldn’t have won KP’

    ‘If people voted on basis of performance, PTI wouldn’t have won KP’

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Marwat has once again criticised his party leadership over unsatisfactory performance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) where it is currently in power for the third consecutive term.


    Addressing a workers’ convention in Abbottabad, the PTI leader pointed out the lack of facilities in the province and said that had people voted on the basis of performance, PTI would never have come to power again.


    Marwat also highlighted the persisting security situation, backwardness and lack of infrastructure in KP. “We cannot label backwardness as progress nor can we term deception as the truth.”


    “The people of KP have voted for PTI three times in a row and now it is the PTI’s turn to deliver for the people of the province,” Marwat stressed. He also suggested that party leadership must accept past mistakes and realise that party performance was not up to the mark in KP.


    Marwat, who is known for his candid and brut remarks, even against his own party, often faces backlashes for his statements both within and without the PTI.


    In May, Marwat was kicked out of PTI’s core and political committees on the direction of party founder Imran Khan following his remarks about Saudi Arabia. Marwat, in an interview, had alleged that Saudia Arabia was behind Khan’s ouster from power.


    In August, PTI’s official handle on X, formerly Twitter, announced the cancellation of Marwat’s basic party membership for a “gross violation/ breach” of discipline.


    While the notification had gone viral, PTI chief Barrister Gohar Ali Khan had termed it “fake”.


    “The notification regarding the cancellation of Sher Afzal Marwat’s membership is fake. It’s not possible,” Gohar had said, hinting at possible differences within the party leadership over Marwat’s fate.


    The notification also claimed that Marwat had been directed to “restrict himself and his statements to within the limitation as outlined in the letter. A committee was also set up to monitor his statements, media appearances and tweets.”


    The recent-most controversy surrounding Marwat also involved PTI leader Salman Akram Raja.
    “Sher Afzal Marwat must control himself. We are giving him a chance if he wants to play a role in the party. If he does not show discipline, we will take action,” Raja had said.


    Marwat, on the other hand, claims that his relation with PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan remains “strong as ever”.

  • November 24 protest: High-level dialogue begins between PTI, govt

    November 24 protest: High-level dialogue begins between PTI, govt

    Preparations are underway for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest on November 24 in Islamabad, but The News reports that the government has urged the party to “call off” the planned demonstration.

    The incumbent government’s initial contact with PTI was reportedly positive, while the party would “call off” the protest in exchange for some assurances for considering their demands.

    The News, however, did not disclose the names of contacts from both parties in the discussion, fearing that it could impact the ongoing negotiations.

    The source claimed that Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur is expected to participate in the apex committee meeting on Tuesday (today).

    In an apex committee chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, CM KP Gandapur is reportedly expected to raise the issue of incarcerated party founder Imran Khan and the ongoing tension between PTI and the military establishment.

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Asim Munir, and all intelligence agency chiefs will also participate in the apex committee meeting.

    Barrister Saif, KP’s Advisor for Information and Broadcasting, while appearing on Geo News, confirmed on Monday that Ali Amin Gandapur will present PTI’s demands before the apex committee meeting before presenting in the upcoming protest at Islamabad.

    If a consensus were built between PTI and the government to initiate dialogue, the military establishment would be exempted from participating in it, the source claimed.

    Following the “final call” by the founder of PTI for the countrywide demonstrations to achieve their demands, the party leadership had vowed to stage a big sit-in show in the federal capital on November 24 until the release of Imran Khan.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf demands the revocation of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, including the restoration of democracy and the Constitution, the return of the public’s mandate, and the release of all political prisoners.

    Previously, former PM Khan was arrested on August 5 last year from his residence in Zaman Park, Lahore, shortly after his conviction in the Toshakhana case and has been in jail since then on multiple charges.

    It should be mentioned here that incarcerated PM Imran Khan is facing several cases, including the £190 million reference (Al Qadir Trust case) and a new Toshakhana case.

    Meanwhile, as per the notification issued by Additional District Magistrate Usman Ashraf, the Islamabad administration on Monday imposed section 144 in the federal capital for two months ahead of the PTI protest.

    According to the notification, there will be a ban on gatherings of five or more people, including the prohibition of any processions, rallies and demonstrations.

  • VIDEO: Bushra Bibi ‘threatens’ PTI lawmakers in viral audio leak

    VIDEO: Bushra Bibi ‘threatens’ PTI lawmakers in viral audio leak

    Bushra Bibi, wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, has allegedly threatened lawmakers of the party while directing them to mobilise support for the upcoming November 24 protest.


    As per the details, an audio leak from a party meeting in Peshawar on November 18, allegedly featured Bushra Bibi as telling PTI MNAs and MPAs that distribution of party tickets would be made on the basis of their participation in the protest scheduled for the federal capital.


    Jailed former prime minister (PM) Imran Khan had last week given the “final call” for a nationwide protest against alleged rigging in the February 8 general elections, and the passage of the 26th Amendment. His wife Bushra Bibi has reportedly taken charge amid reservations by incumbent party leadership regarding a protest demonstration.


    While PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai has confirmed the authenticity of the nine-minute audio recording, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Information and Broadcasting Minister Barrister Saif has rejected claims that she chaired a party meeting in Peshawar last week.


    In the leaked audio, Bushra Bibi can allegedly be heard as quoting her husband and saying that every MPA should join the main procession in Islamabad with 5,000 workers whereas all MNAs should bring along 10,000 workers. No excuses shall be accepted in this regard, she can be heard as saying.
    “If a worker is injured, local MNAs and MPAs will take care of them. No one should get arrested nor allow others to be detained,” she said.

    Bushra Bibi also directed lawmakers to “plan in advance” in case there was a possibility of their arrests while en route to the federal capital. 


    “Prepare a plan in advance to avoid getting arrested,” she said, also telling party lawmaker to appoint three successors who could lead the caravans to Islamabad in case of senior leadership’s arrest.


    “Social media activists and YouTubers should share videos of the caravans in real-time,” she said.
    The former first lady also said that the November 24 protest was a “test of loyalty to the PTI founder”, expressing confidence that around 500,000 people will take to the streets.


    “Grouping at this critical time does not demonstrate loyalty to Khan,” she said in reference to reports of infighting within the PTI.


    Bushra Bibi had last month secured bail in the Toshakhana case after being incarcerated for nine months. The former first lady was taken into custody on January 31 after an Islamabad accountability court sentenced her and Imran to 14 years in jail.

  • PTI supporters slam Barrister Gohar for joining British King’s birthday celebration

    PTI supporters slam Barrister Gohar for joining British King’s birthday celebration

    The United Kingdom’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott, posted a video on November 18 of an exclusive event celebrating His Majesty The King’s 76th Birthday in Islamabad. The long guest list included PTI’s Chairman, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, which irked the party supporters.

    In the short video clip released by the official account of Marriott, Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, former caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, former CM Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan and former diplomat Tariq Fatemi were cutting a cake with British High Commissioner.

    Former DG Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General (retd) Asif Ghafoor was present at the event as well. 

    Barrister Gohar’s presence at the party, however, drew strong criticism from netizens on social media.

    One user commented: “Khan is in jail this guy is eating cake.”


     
    Another irritated netizen wrote, “How did you manage to gather every Pakistan that the people of Pakistan absolute hate? Well, but then you’re a bunch of hypocrites anyway.”

    “Every colonial slave in one video….fascinating,” remarked another PTI supporter by the username Mooman. 

    Freelancer geopolitical analyst Talha Ahmad, with a considerable following on X, wrote: “In the last two days, funerals have taken place from dozens of houses. This aristocrat is busy celebrating the birthday of his real king in his little world unaware of the situation. In this system, the life of a common man is just a minor news. The news that gets lost somewhere in the noise of this apathetic society the other day.”

    Meanwhile, PTI supporters also criticised the original post, pointing out that since the government had banned the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and the use of VPNs in Pakistan, it was contradictory for the High Commissioner to be using both.

    One party supporter wrote, “Jane what VPN are you using as X is banned in Pakistan officially so are you disobeying the laws of the land as an ambassador in Pakistan or are you exempt from every law too? @FCDOGovUK”

    X user Javed Hassan, wrote: “It is disappointing to see the PTI chairman celebrating the King’s birthday when his majesty’s government has done little to promote human rights and the rule of law in Pakistan. The event is cringeworthy in its colonial undertones when the host country struggles with democracy.”

    “Pakistan is a vassal state of the West. These brown puppets ignored Allama Iqbal’s birthday on November 9 but are bending over backwards to celebrate the King’s birthday, as if he were one of the ideological founders of Pak. Which VPN are you using, Viceroy @JaneMarriottUK?” posted another netizen.

    Another user pointed out the bad optics for the ruling elite as Pakistan reels from a surge in terrorism, writing, “Let us party, sing and make merry to the good health of the King. It isn’t like our country lost 50 plus to terrorism these past few weeks and despondency is touching the sky. Must be some other country where all this is happening.”

  • PTI USA ‘apologises’ for prior anti-America remarks; leader rubbishes claim

    PTI USA ‘apologises’ for prior anti-America remarks; leader rubbishes claim

    Journalist Murtaza Solangi has shared an alleged agreement that showed that the USA chapter of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has hired US lobbying firm Fenton/Arlock LLC to “create a favorable and sympathetic understanding of Imran Khan and PTI in the United States.”

    However, PTI’s leader Azhar Mashwani has refuted the claims and the November 14 tweet in which Solangi posted the agreement, calling the alleged document “fake.” Users pointed out that the lobbying firm’s name is misspelled “Arlock instead of Arlook.”

     It should be noted that in 2022, PTI USA chapter hired Fenton/Arlook to improve the party’s image in the United States. 

    Interestingly, in the agreement dated November 7, PTI USA has said it “acknowledges and apologizes for any prior anti-U.S. remarks made by party leaders that may have been misinterpreted or caused any strain in the bilateral relationship.”

    Furthermore, the agreement also alleged that PTI USA, which is representing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf “is committed to prioritising US interests within the framework of Pakistan’s sovereignty including supporting US objectives in Pakistan and countering the growing influence of neighbouring country in areas that may conflict with US geopolitical and economic interests.”

    It should be noted that PTI blamed the US for conspiring against its government when Imran Khan was ousted from power through a no-confidence motion in 2022. Founder PTI Imran Khan, in an infamous rally, waved a page in front of a charged crowd, which was allegedly the cypher sent to Islamabad by Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington.

    The Intercept, a US-based news website, in August 2023 published what it claimed to be the “cypher” that hinted the US administration wanted to remove Khan from power. 

    However, later, Khan and his party changed their narratives multiple times while the American-Pakistani community continuously lobbied among US politicians for the release of Khan from prison.

    The agreement, since viral on social media, also stipulated the scope of services which the lobbying firm would provide on behalf of PTI USA for a retainer fee of $40,000 per month. 

    “Utilizing Fenton/Arlock LLC’s influence, contacts, and resources to help reshape PTI’s image within US political circles, with the goal of fostering a positive narrative and securing political goodwill towards PTI’s platform and leadership,” read the agreement.

    As Donald Trump swept the US presidential elections earlier this month, his victory created a moment of happiness within PTI leadership and supporters because they’ve pinned their hopes on Trump’s intervention to get Imran Khan released from jail. 

    Former deputy speaker and prominent PTI leader, Qasim Khan Suri, took to X last month to blame the Democratic Party for Khan’s fall from power instead of blaming the United States.

    Suri posted his speech from 2022, when he was the deputy assembly speaker, in which he blamed the United States for conspiring against Khan due to his alleged “independent foreign policy, economy and the sanctity of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).” Yet, the caption Suri wrote was in clear contrast with the contents of the video, writing, “The crushing defeat of the US Democratic Party, which played an important role in bringing down the government of Imran Khan, in the US presidential election made local facilitators sleepless, many of them immediately issued statements to change their father.”

  • ‘Death sentence on the cards for Gen (r) Faiz Hameed,’ claims journalist

    ‘Death sentence on the cards for Gen (r) Faiz Hameed,’ claims journalist

    Journalist Syed Imran Shafqat on Thursday claimed that ex-spymaster General (retd) Faiz Hameed can face the maximum punishment, which, according to Shafqat, is the “death penalty” for his alleged role as the “mastermind” behind the May 9 riots.

    Appearing on the Hum News programme FAISLA AAP KA, Imran Shafqat predicted that former Chief Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) General (retd) Faiz Hameed’s trial will conclude in November or December.

    Previously, senior journalist Nusrat Javed said on ARY News on November 13, “I fear that General Faiz Hameed might be sentenced before November 24.”


    It should be noted here that Imran Khan announced the “final call” for protests on November 24 for a protest in Islamabad.

    “This is the moment when you will have to decide whether you want to live under martial law or live with freedom,” Aleema Khan narrates hee brother’s message while speaking to journalists at Adiala Jail Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

    Shafqat, ruling out a possible military trial of Imran Khan, stated: “No one intends to conduct a military trial of Imran Khan.”

    Imran was taken into custody by paramilitary Rangers at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on May 9 in connection with the Al Qadir Trust case. 

    Protests erupted in major cities, including Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Multan, and Quetta, with protestors harming army installations. 

    Rioters stormed the residence of the Corps Commander in Lahore and laid siege to a gate of the army’s General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

    The military’s spokesperson, in a press conference in May 2024, made it clear there would be no moving forward without a sincere apology from the PTI and a public repudiation of “the politics of anarchy and hate”.

    However, the incarcerated party founder was released on May 12 when the IHC restricted authorities from arresting him in any legal matter.

    Afterwards, Khan was arrested from his residence in Zaman Park, Lahore, shortly after his conviction in the Toshakhana case on August 5 last year, where he was sentenced to three years for illegally selling state gifts and has been detained since then on multiple charges, including the £190 million reference and a new Toshakhana case.

    Bushra Bibi, Imran Khan’s wife, was released on bail in the ToshaKhana case after being incarcerated for nine months in Adiala Jail Rawalpindi.