Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Patron-in-Chief Imran Khan on Tuesday reiterated his call for a nationwide protest movement, directing his party to ramp up demonstrations until Aug. 5, marking the second anniversary of his ongoing incarceration.
In a posting on X, Khan once again rejected all forms of dialogue, claiming the time for talks had passed. “For the sake of the country, I have repeatedly talked about negotiations, but now the time for negotiations has passed,” read the post, whose provenance remains unclear as Khan has no access to the internet at Adiala Jail.
“The hope we had for justice from the courts has completely disappeared, so now no other method can bring the Pakistani nation out of this swamp of lawlessness except a nationwide protest movement,” he said, adding a plan for the “nationwide movement” would be revealed this week. “Now there will be no negotiations of any kind with anyone! There will be protests only on the streets so that the nation can get rid of the puppet rulers imposed by force,” he said.
Confirming the protest call, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan—who met Khan earlier in the day—said it would be a peaceful but powerful gathering. “This is not just about political revenge anymore—it’s about every citizen’s rights being stolen,” he said, claiming Khan said it should take the shape of a new “Pakistan Movement.”
The PTI leader alleged prison authorities are mistreating Khan by keeping him and his wife in isolation and denying them rights granted through court orders. Khan’s sister Aleema Khan, once again denied a meeting with her brother, reiterated Gohar’s remarks after a meeting between the former prime minister and their sisters Noreen and Uzma.
Aleema claimed the upcoming protest would include the participation of the entire family, including Khan’s sons Qasim and Suleiman, who reside in London with their mother. She claimed the two brothers would first travel to the U.S. to highlight the treatment meted out to their father before coming to Pakistan. She said a plan for their visit was still under development.
According to Aleema, Khan has directed all party leaders who cannot openly support him at this time to either voluntarily quit the party or risk expulsion once he gets released from prison.
During her press talk, Aleema reiterated allegations of Khan’s solitary confinement, claiming he was denied access to newspapers, books and television. “He is not a criminal. He is the former elected prime minister of this country. Yet he is being treated worse than convicted felons,” she claimed. “Even his doctor has not been allowed for 10 months,” she alleged.
“His spirit is stronger than ever,” she maintained. “He told us—whatever happens, his message will reach the people,” she added.