Tag: PTI

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has finalised plans for a long march two weeks after Eidul Fitr, aiming to press for the release of its founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, party sources confirmed to a private media outlet’s reporter. 

Preparations are already underway, including a specially equipped container that will serve as the command and protest hub during the demonstration. The container has been fitted with modern amenities such as CCTV cameras, air-conditioning units, and speakers to help with coordination and ensure participant comfort in case of an extended sit-in.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister (CM) Sohail Afridi inspected the container, which prominently displays the slogan “Freedom or Death” on its exterior, reflecting the party’s stance ahead of the planned protest. According to PTI insiders, the march is expected to culminate at Adiala Jail, where protesters will stage a sit-in (dharna) until the party founder is released.

The announcement follows directives issued to PTI’s organisational wings and district units to prepare for the march. Party leadership has indicated that the exact date will be announced before the end of Ramazan to allow time for mobilisation.

Confirming the development, PTI Peshawar District President Irfan Saleem said the party had taken a clear decision to proceed with the protest. “Our leadership has instructed all workers to prepare for the demonstration,” he said.

“The protest will remain peaceful, and we will continue our democratic struggle. The party will announce the route, whether to Islamabad or directly to Adiala Jail, and workers will follow the instructions accordingly.”

Imran Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 and is currently serving a sentence at Adiala Jail in a £190 million corruption case. He also faces trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act related to the protests of May 9, 2023.

Qasim Khan Suri, the former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, says he is now driving for Uber in the United States (US) due to financial difficulties after leaving Pakistan.

Suri, a senior member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and long-time political worker associated with the ideology of party chairman Imran Khan, shared his situation in a discussion with Ali Hasnain Malik “Here, I am certainly facing financial hardships. 

I never imagined I would have to do the kind of work I am doing now – I am driving Uber” he said, adding that he chose honesty over theft.

Suri remained explicit about his political identity, stating that he is a political worker aligned with Imran Khan’s ideology and continues to stand with that vision.

He framed his current struggle within the larger context of what he called cruelty and injustice facing Pakistan, particularly pointing to the legal challenges against Imran Khan and his family. 

According to Suri, he had once held a responsible position with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in Islamabad, but he said he never accumulated personal wealth from it. “By the grace of Allah, I did not even own a flat there. I lived my life with dignity and modesty,” he stated. 

He also recalled that, prior to 2018, he was able to host senior political figures such as Imran Khan and Dr. Arif Alvi at his home in Quetta, describing himself as a middle-class Pakistani who lived “with dignity and earned [his] living honestly.” 

Suri said that although he sleeps peacefully, “the struggle burns in my heart like fire,” underscoring his ongoing emotional and political commitment.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has once again expressed concern over the health of its jailed founder Imran Khan, claiming that he is suffering from an eye condition that could lead to permanent vision loss if not treated urgently.


 
In a statement posted on X, the party said it had learned through credible reports that the former prime minister had been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion in his right eye, a condition caused by a blockage in the retinal vein.

Citing medical experts who reportedly examined him in jail, the party said the condition was “extremely serious” and required immediate and proper treatment to prevent irreversible damage to his eyesight.

PTI alleged that jail administration was insisting on providing treatment inside the prison, even though the attending specialist had advised that such care was not possible without an operation theatre and specialised medical facilities.

“This reckless attitude is placing Imran Khan’s eyesight and overall health in grave danger,” the statement said.

The party further said Imran was last allowed to see his personal physician in October 2024 and has not been examined by him since, despite orders issued by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) permitting regular medical check-ups.

Calling it a “blatant violation” of court orders and fundamental human rights, PTI said a petition seeking regular medical examinations for Imran had been pending since August 2025 and was being deliberately ignored.

“The government’s conduct shows that, in its pursuit of political vendetta, it is willing to gamble with the life and health of a prisoner,” the statement said.

The party demanded that Imran be allowed an unrestricted meeting with his family and close associates to reassure the public about his condition. It also called for his immediate transfer to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital or any other hospital of his choice for treatment under qualified specialists.

It also urged the judiciary to treat the matter as one of human life rather than politics and warned that any permanent damage to Imran’s eyesight would be the responsibility of the government and the Adiala Jail administration.

Separately, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital, founded by Khan, also issued a statement expressing “grave concern” over his health.

While expressing confidence in the doctors currently treating him, the hospital requested that a team of its physicians be granted immediate access to participate in his care to help reassure those concerned about his well-being.

Shahzad Akbar and Youtuber Adil Raja were reportedly targeted in a series of attacks last year that were planned and coordinated through a social media chat group, sources told a private media outlet. 

The assaults were carried out on December 24, December 31, 2025, and January 10, 2026, raising concerns about organized efforts to harm political figures.

Four men have been charged in connection with the attacks: Louis Regan, Karl Scott Blackbird, Clark Anthony McAulay, and Doneto Brammer. Three of the accused – Blackbird, McAulay, and Brammer – appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court wearing tracksuits, showing no visible tension. Public records indicate that the men collectively have convictions for more than 40 offences.

According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Blackbird and McAulay conspired to assault Adil Raja and cause bodily harm in late December 2025. Blackbird also conspired to assault Shahzad Akbar during the same period. 

Brammer, on December 31, allegedly possessed a revolver without authority and conspired to damage Akbar’s property by fire, intending to endanger his life. Regan faces charges of conspiring to assault both Raja and Akbar at their homes in Chesham and Cambridge on December 24. Investigators said the assailants filmed the attacks and shared the videos within the same chat group, which reportedly included a number still being traced.

In a separate development, Interpol has dropped the case against Shahzad Akbar in the high-profile Al-Qadir Trust case, confirming that he is no longer “subject to an Interpol Notice or Diffusion,” a private media outlet reported. Interpol sources said Akbar, the former accountability chief under former Prime Minister Imran Khan, is no longer a subject of interest, and his details have been removed from the Interpol database. The case had been entered at the request of the Pakistan Interior Ministry.

Reports quoted sources that told a private media outlet that Akbar, through his lawyers, argued that the cases against him were politically motivated, that the £190 million settlement had been approved by the federal cabinet, and that the funds were deposited into the state treasury, not paid to him personally.

Speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq on Friday notified Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai as the new opposition leader in the lower house, months after the post was left vacant after Omar Ayub was sentenced to imprisonment. 

Achakzai, who also heads the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), was nominated for the position by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan following the disqualification of his predecessor Omar Ayub, who was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in a May 9 case.

“In pursuance of rule 39 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in NA, 2007, honourable speaker has been pleased to declare Mahmood Khan Achakzai, MNA, as Leader of the Opposition in NA with effect from January 16, 2026,” read the notification issued by NA acting Secretary Saeed Ahmad Maitla.

The notification followed a meeting between NA Speaker Sadiq and a delegation of opposition lawmakers, including PTI leaders Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Junaid Akbar, Aamir Dogar, Shahram Khan Tarakai, Latif Khosa and Jamal Ahsan Khan.

Achakzai’s appointment comes at a critical juncture as he has called for a national dialogue among all political parties to help steer the country out of crisis. PTI leaders have emphasised that the mandate to engage with the ruling coalition rests with Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.

Speaking to a private news channel, senior PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Imran Khan had authorised Achakzai to negotiate with the government. “Achakzai can decide better what to do,” he added.

Since Imran Khan’s ouster through a vote of no-confidence in April 2022, PTI has been at odds with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The party has staged multiple marches towards Islamabad, leading to police crackdowns and arrests.

PTI also faces challenges on the political and legal fronts, with its founder Imran Khan and senior leaders including Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Yasmin Rashid in custody over alleged involvement in the May 9 incidents.

Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Saturday dismissed reports of an impending ban on social media platforms, saying the government has no intention of shutting down digital platforms and only wants global tech companies to establish offices in Pakistan.

During a discussion on a private news channel programme, Tarar indicated that assumptions about potential restrictions were unfounded, emphasizing that the government’s priority lies in regulation and a local presence rather than outright prohibitions. 

His comments follow similar briefings from Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel, who suggested the possibility of restricting X, formerly Twitter.

During the televised discussion, Tarar appeared visibly firm as he shifted focus to political tensions, saying dialogue was necessary but could not move forward unless Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) first apologised before the world. 

He accused the party of running propaganda campaigns against the Pakistan Army and Field Marshal Asim Munir, and demanded that PTI clearly distance itself from social media accounts allegedly operated from the UK and the US.

The information minister claimed that PTI had damaged Pakistan’s reputation on the international stage by sending letters to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), adding that the party had no option left except dialogue.

Tarar said that Pakistan had moved beyond economic uncertainty, declaring that the country was no longer on the verge of default. He stated that Field Marshal Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Pakistan itself are now receiving international recognition, with the economy stabilizing and the country moving forward.

In one of his strongest remarks, Tarar lashed out at what he described as a dangerous political mindset, saying, “Curse be upon the thinking that if Imran Khan does not exist, Pakistan should not exist.” He said any dialogue that threatened Pakistan’s integrity should be “picked up and thrown away”, adding that no political party or leader was bigger than the state. “Anyone who considers themselves above Pakistan needs to fix their mindset,” he said.

Touching on foreign policy, Tarar mentioned that any decision about a Gaza peace force would be made strictly in accordance with Palestinian rights and international law. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s longstanding support for Palestine, noting that Palestinian leadership has consistently recognized Pakistan’s role during bilateral discussions.

He also acknowledged humanitarian efforts concerning Gaza, mentioning that it would be unjust not to recognize Alkhidmat Foundation, while also crediting Jamaat-e-Islami for its contributions. Tarar said that any decisions related to Gaza would reflect the desires of both the Pakistani and Palestinian people.

These comments have sparked a renewed discussion online, particularly amidst worries over digital freedoms, political division, and Pakistan’s changing approach to social media governance and dissent.

A special court on Saturday sentenced Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years’ imprisonment each in the Toshakhana-2 case.

The verdict was announced by Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand after a series of hearings conducted inside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan is currently incarcerated.

The case revolves around an expensive Bulgari jewelry set that the Saudi crown prince gave to Imran Khan during an official visit in May 2021. The luxury set, which authorities estimated at over Rs70 million, was deliberately undervalued and bought at a nominal price, according to the prosecution, resulting in a loss for the national exchequer. 

The prosecution maintained that the jewellery was retained after payment of only a few million rupees and was neither correctly valued nor deposited in the Toshakhana as required.

According to the judgment, Imran Khan was awarded 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment under Sections 34 (common intention) and 409 (criminal breach of trust) of the Pakistan Penal Code, along with seven years under Section 5(2) (criminal misconduct by public servants) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. 

Bushra Bibi was handed the same cumulative sentence under the same legal provisions.

Both convicts were also fined Rs16.4 million each. Failure to pay the fines will result in additional imprisonment, as per law.

The court stated in its court order that it had taken Bushra Bibi’s gender and Imran Khan’s age into account while deciding on the sentencing, noting that a lenient view was taken in imposing a lesser punishment.

The court also granted the benefit of Section 382-B of the Criminal Procedure Code, allowing time already spent in custody to be counted towards the sentence.

In December of last year, Bushra Bibi and Imran Khan were charged in the case. Both denied the accusations in October, calling the reference politically motivated and intended to keep the former prime minister out of politics.

Following the verdict, the PTI strongly criticised the decision. In a statement on X, the party alleged that Imran Khan’s family was barred from entering the jail premises and described the proceedings as a “kangaroo court”. The party also shared footage of Imran’s sister Aleema Khan questioning why she was stopped outside the jail.

Aleema Khan then accused the verdict of being rushed and pre-written in an interview with the media. She said the family had been waiting for such a decision for weeks and questioned the timing of the announcement. She also raised concerns over Bushra Bibi’s confinement conditions.

“Even at night, I felt they wanted to announce the verdict quickly, taking advantage of the foggy weather,” she said, questioning the timing of the announcement. She added that those behind the cases were “not intelligent people” and that she failed to understand their scripts.

“What difference does it make whether you sentence them to ten years or fourteen years? Earlier, you already gave them 14 years,” Aleema remarked. She warned that the public’s patience had run out and alleged that the authorities planned to announce a new decision every six months.

Separately, PTI leader Salman Akram Raja stated that the case was being conducted based on promissory notes and lacked credible evidence.

 “They have no witnesses except the person whom the PTI founder himself brought forward,” he said. He described the case as absurd, adding, “A person stands up and says pressure was put on him, and you accept that as evidence.”

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that the punishment awarded on Saturday would run consecutively, starting after the sentence in the £190 million corruption case concluded. 

Speaking to a private media outlet, he welcomed the judgment and said the former prime minister and his wife had “committed fraud” by acquiring the gifts at undervalued rates and retaining them for personal use.

“They had no right to harm the exchequer and retain gifts,” Tarar stressed. “During the trial, when these gifts were properly assessed, it emerged that the actual price was quite high,” he added. He termed the judgment “completely fair and grounded in the principles of justice,” stating that misuse of office, dishonesty with government property, and criminal breach of trust had all been proven.

Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik said the verdict was “in line with the Constitution and the law,” asserting that there was no political bias. “If you violate the law, it is clear that a punishment is expected,” he remarked.

“The trial that went on for 15-16 months, it was proven that PTI founder and his wife caused the national exchequer significant harm as the set’s valuation was under-reported,” Malik said. “The gift was not even submitted,” he added.

Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani said that the judgment followed lengthy proceedings and mirrored the Toshakhana-I reference. He explained that the gifts were not deposited as legally required and that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi had attempted to purchase the set at throwaway rates. “All the facts have now been established in light of today’s judgment,” he concluded.

The Toshakhana-2 case was transferred to the FIA Anti-Corruption Court on September 9, 2024. Charges were framed under Section 5 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947, and Section 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The trial formally began on September 16, 2024, with Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand presiding at Adiala Jail. Bushra Bibi was granted bail by the Islamabad High Court on October 23, 2024, and released the following day. Imran Khan also received bail on November 20, 2024. On December 12, 2024, formal charges were framed against both accused.

Over the course of nearly a year, the court conducted more than 80 hearings at Adiala Jail. The prosecution recorded statements of 24 witnesses and completed cross-examinations of 20 key witnesses, including former Military Secretary Brigadier (retd) Muhammad Ahmad, private appraiser Sohaib Abbasi, and Imran Khan’s former Principal Secretary Inamullah.

The FIA prosecution team was led by Federal Prosecutor Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi, assisted by Barristers Umair Majeed Malik, Bilal Butt, and Shahvez Gilani. The defence was represented by Arshad Tabrez, Qausain Faisal Mufti, and Barrister Salman Safdar.