Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has voiced doubts about Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) leader Maulana Fazl ur Rehman’s involvement in upcoming constitutional amendments.
Speaking from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Khan stated he was uncertain about Rehman’s role in supporting these amendments, which he suspects are intended to extend the terms of three key officials. He argued that this constitutional amendment is necessary because the government, even with the backing of four “umpires,” had still faced defeat. The officials implicated in this extension include the Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, and the Chief Election Commissioner. Khan accused the government of trying to secure fraudulent elections through these changes.
Imran Khan pointed out that the government is pushing to pass the amendment because they have enough support. He stressed the need for all political forces to unite in defense of democracy, adding that if Rehman genuinely supports democracy, it would be a positive sign.
Khan also expressed concerns that removing Chief Justice Isa could lead to reopening investigations into the events of May 9 and alleged electoral fraud. He claimed efforts were made on May 9 to dismantle his party and that the government’s attempts to delay elections were unconstitutional, aiming to suppress the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
He revealed that before May 9, he had faced 140 legal cases and had survived two assassination attempts. He suggested that his party’s resilience had prompted a crackdown on that date. According to Khan, Chief Justice Isa had been blocking a judicial inquiry into the May 9 events for over a year, fearing that a new Chief Justice might pursue these investigations.
Khan concluded by saying that during his arrest, he requested to see the warrants, implying that the arrest was orchestrated to provoke public anger. He claimed that CCTV footage of the arrest, including that from the Islamabad High Court, had been erased. Khan expressed confidence that once the May 9 petition is brought before the new Chief Justice, the full truth will come to light.
