Pakistan's former PM Imran to lead another 'anti-government movement' from jail

While there is not even a slight possibility of release of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan before Eid Al Adha, he has announced to lead another anti-government movement from the Adiala Jail Rawalpindi where he is lodged.

“Imran Khan has announced a protest movement against the government. The centre of the movement would not be Islamabad, but the entire country. Imran Khan has given me the responsibility to make a plan for the protest movement. I will present the plan in my next meeting with him very soon. We will plan after consulting lawyers and party leaders,” PTI senator Ali Zafar Shah told reporters after meeting the ex-premier.

Meanwhile, rumours regarding Imran Khan’s possible release before Eid have been firmly rejected by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and government officials and even the PTI doesn’t expect it to happen.

NAB officials said that there is currently no case before any court that is ripe for Imran Khan’s release. “No notice has been issued to NAB in any matter that could result in his bail or release before Eid. As per legal norms, the prosecution must be heard before any relief is granted to a convicted individual, which has not happened so far.”

Activists of PTI take part in a public rally on the outskirts of Islamabad. File / AFP

Government officials have also dismissed the speculation, categorically stating that no deal has been offered to Imran Khan, and there is no behind-the-scenes arrangement underway to facilitate his release. “There is no understanding, no negotiation, and no offer on the table,” a senior government official said.

Imran Khan’s legal counsel Naeem Haider Panjotha also told reporters that the reports of Imran Khan’s imminent release were false. “There is neither any deal nor any leniency being offered. The rumours are baseless.”

Senator Zafar Shah quoted the party founder as telling him that “we have been put against the wall; we have no option but to take to the streets. We will protest across the country, which I will lead from jail.” Imran, he pointed out, expressed the resolve to give all instructions related to the protest movement from jail.

The senator said the upcoming movement would be unlike any seen before. He emphasised that this time, the movement must succeed, acknowledging that while obstacles were inevitable, solutions must be found to overcome them. He said the strategy of the protest movement would be ready in a few days, after the next meeting and that the party founder himself would assign responsibilities with regards to the proposed drive.