During an informal conversation with journalists at Adiala Jail on Monday, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan reaffirmed his call for a protest outside the General Headquarters (GHQ).
Khan clarified his position, emphasizing that he had always advocated for a peaceful demonstration at the GHQ before the events of May 9. “My call for the GHQ protest has been misrepresented as a confession or an admission of wrongdoing on May 9. I addressed this in three vlogs and mentioned it 12 times during police interrogations,” he stated.
He further claimed to possess evidence of a plot to assassinate him outside the Judicial Complex on March 18. “I directed the party to stage a peaceful protest outside GHQ and cantonments if the army and Rangers detained me,” Khan said.
Regarding the May 9 violence, Khan remarked, “The protest turned violent because it was orchestrated. The authorities are withholding CCTV footage because it would exonerate our supporters.”
Khan announced plans to take legal action to recover the missing CCTV footage and to sue the Rangers for allegedly abducting him from the High Court premises. He questioned the orders behind his arrest and the attack on him.
Criticizing the government’s actions against social media, Khan mentioned the arrest of 75-year-old cancer patient Raof Hasan and called for a judicial commission to ensure a fair investigation.
“The government is trying to dismantle PTI through military means,” Khan asserted, also criticizing the recent budget and accusing it of damaging the government’s credibility.
He defended social media as a democratic voice, opposing its characterization as ‘digital terrorism’. “Without criticism, institutions will crumble,” he warned.
Addressing accusations of hypocrisy regarding laws against military criticism during his tenure, Khan differentiated between criticism and defamation, noting that no journalists were forced to flee or were killed under his government. He acknowledged that even former president Pervez Musharraf’s era was more liberal.
Khan emphasized that all institutions, including national security agencies, should be subject to scrutiny. He highlighted the support judges receive on social media when ruling in PTI’s favor.
He underscored that the military serves Pakistan, not any political faction, and its perceived alignment with the current government could harm its reputation, economy, and democracy.
In response to another query, Khan accused the establishment of hindering PTI in the elections and facilitating the rapid dismissal of corruption cases against Nawaz Sharif.
Looking ahead, Khan announced a significant rally in Swabi on August 5, portraying it as a testament to PTI’s public support and a strategic effort to maintain peace.
