Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Wednesday announced he is establishing an “Imran Khan Release Force” in line with his responsibility of leading a “street movement” for the release of the incarcerated former Prime Minister.
Addressing a press conference outside the Supreme Court, he alleged that court orders are routinely ignored, adding the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder had yet to see his personal physicians. He said the “Imran Khan Release Force” would be a formally registered entity with the sole task of securing Khan’s release through peaceful struggle. He said he would administer oath to the members of the force in Peshawar after Eidul Fitr.
Further outlining the force’s mandate, he said it would have a clear chain of command and Imran Khan would decide who is granted command responsibilities. He emphasized that no struggle would be launched until all preparations are completed. The force, he maintained, would aim to ensure the supremacy of the Constitution, democracy and an independent media.
To a question, he said Khan had assigned opposition leaders Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and Mahmood Khan Achakzai the responsibility of negotiations and protests. They had decided to stage a sit-in in Parliament and have now decided to end it, he said. “We accept their decision,” he said, stressing both leaders had said they stood with Imran Khan until the incarcerated leader’s sisters were satisfied.
Ending sit-ins
Earlier, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Abbas announced that opposition lawmakers were ending their sit-in at Parliament House. Launched on Feb. 13, the sit-in aimed to ensure medical treatment of Khan.
Abbas told media lawmakers had staged the sit-in solely over concerns about Khan’s health. He said despite ending the protest, they continued to demand the detained leader’s personal doctors be allowed to meet him.
Alleging that Parliament House had been turned into “jail” during the protest, he claimed protesters were prevented from leaving the building when they tried to do so. He recalled that Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen Pakistan (TTP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai had considered launching a hunger strike over reports of Khan’s eye ailment.
Abbas said the emotions of the PTI founder’s sisters were justified, emphasizing they should be permitted to meet him. He hoped Khan’s eye would continue improving and reiterated a demand for the former premier to be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for further treatment.