Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has declared that he will persist in his fight for the rule of law in the country, stating that he will not strike a deal or surrender even if the government puts him in jail. In a YouTube address to the nation, Khan emphasized that his struggle is aimed at securing a better future for the people of Pakistan.
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Khan, who is the 70-year-old leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf (PTI) party, traveled to Islamabad from Lahore on Monday to seek an extension to his pre-arrest bail in 19 cases. He is currently facing over 140 cases, including charges related to terrorism, incitement of violence, arson attacks, blasphemy, attempted murder, corruption, and fraud.
In a separate incident, police in Lahore apprehended 30 PTI workers, including former football star Shumaila Sattar, for attempting to meet Khan at his residence in Lahore’s Zaman Park. Sattar, a former member of the national women’s football team, was identified through geo-fencing and subsequently sent to jail on judicial remand, according to the Lahore police. Additionally, a senior lawyer who had met with Khan in Lahore and is involved in a petition against the trial of civilians in military courts was reportedly “abducted” by unidentified individuals.
Khan has raised concerns over the incidents, claiming that senior advocate Aziz Bhandhari, who visited him at his residence, was also abducted. Bhandhari had filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the trial of civilians in military courts, and Khan argued that such actions reflect a state of martial law prevailing in the country.
The 30 PTI workers who were previously released from jail in connection with the May 9 violence have now been rearrested under the public disorder act after attempting to meet Khan.
Following Khan’s arrest by paramilitary personnel inside the Islamabad High Court on May 9, widespread violence erupted throughout Pakistan. Over 20 military installations and state buildings, including the military headquarters in Rawalpindi, were damaged or set on fire during the subsequent protests. The PTI claims that law enforcement agencies have arrested more than 10,000 party workers across the country, primarily in Punjab.
Imran Khan’s resolve to continue his fight for the rule of law and a better future for Pakistan demonstrates his determination to address the challenges facing the nation. As he faces numerous legal cases and the arrest of party workers, the political landscape in Pakistan remains tense. The developments surrounding Khan and his ongoing struggle are closely watched by both his supporters and critics, with the outcome potentially shaping the country’s political trajectory.
