Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Tuesday reiterated his vow to establish a “release force” to secure the freedom of incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan.
Afridi had initially announced the intent to form an “Imran Khan Release Force” last week, claiming he would administer oath to them in Peshawar after Eidul Fitr. He had also claimed the “force” would have an established chain of command and would advance the “street movement” that Khan had assigned him to lead. The announcement followed the PTI ending sit-ins seeking access for Khan to his personal physicians and immediate family, as well as his transfer to a hospital for treatment of an eye condition.
The announcement had drawn criticism from several quarters, with multiple reports claiming several senior PTI leaders were not in favor of it, fearing it would only increase the former prime minister’s difficulties rather than securing him relief.
Speaking with media outside the Supreme Court on Tuesday, the chief minister claimed the force would include all wings of the PTI, including lawyers and students, and would comprise “hundreds of thousands” of people. “We are going to bring the youth together on one platform. We want all young people to be prepared whenever the founder gives the call,” he said, referring to a potential call for yet another mass protest.
During his press talk, Afridi also raised questions over a report issued by the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) regarding treatment for Khan’s eye condition. He alleged, without offering any evidence, that the documents were fabricated.
Last week, a report submitted to the Supreme Court by amicus curiae and Khan’s lawyer Salman Safdar claimed the PTI founder’s right eye had developed central retinal vein occlusion, requiring immediate corrective treatment. In response, the government said the treatment had already commenced, with Khan received a first dose of medication last month and a second dose this week. He is due for a third dose next month.