Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has claimed that he is now “stronger and fitter than ever” since his imprisonment two months ago, according to a statement released by his family on Thursday.
Imran Khan was convicted of corruption in August and sentenced to three years in jail, with the election commission subsequently banning him from participating in the polls scheduled for January 2024.
In his first statement since his imprisonment, Khan stated, “Let it be known that there’s a difference of day and night between the Imran Khan of today and Imran Khan who was imprisoned on August 5. Today I am stronger and fitter; spiritually, mentally, and physically, than ever before.”
Khan also revealed that he has spent his time in jail reading the Quran and has “adjusted well to prison conditions.”
Since his removal from office last year, Khan has been entangled in a series of legal cases that he claims are designed to prevent him from contesting elections. Authorities briefly detained him in May, leading to nationwide protests, with accusations of military interference in politics sparking violent demonstrations.
Although Khan’s prison term for corruption was overturned, he remained in custody due to a fresh arrest for leaking state documents. If formally indicted, he could face up to 14 years in prison.
The case is related to a cable that Khan presented as evidence of being ousted as part of a U.S. conspiracy. The claim was denied by the United States and the Pakistan military.
Nawaz Sharif’s Return
Currently, Pakistan is under an interim government, with elections postponed several times. Khan’s primary opponent, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, is set to return to Pakistan next week to lead his party in the elections, ending four years of self-imposed exile in London.
Khan urged his supporters not to give up and to continue demanding a fair and transparent election in the country while raising their voices against the unelected “predatory group” and its facilitators.
