ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb emphatically said that the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan was not politically motivated.
In a press conference held shortly after Additional District Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Humayun Dilawar sentenced the PTI chief to three years in prison, she accused Imran Khan of denying every accusation and avoiding accountability at every turn.
She dismissed speculations that Khan’s arrest was a result of political victimization, asserting that the investigation had been ongoing for 12-13 months. Aurangzeb categorically announced that the verdict was the outcome of a proper process, with more than 40 hearings held over 14 months for the case. She highlighted that Khan had ample opportunities to clarify his stance, but he only attended 3 hearings.
Marriyum Aurangzeb criticized Khan for “attacking” the police using petrol bombs and convening on the judicial complex. She stated that he used every channel to escape accountability and evade the law without providing answers to anything.
Addressing those who might be confused about the reasons behind Khan’s arrest or anyone attempting to build a narrative of his political victimization, she pointed to the court’s order as a reference.
Marriyum Aurangzeb categorically said that the former premier was given the opportunity to clarify his stance, and she also highlighted that several gifts, including necklaces, rings, and dinner sets, were not even declared by him.
She accused Imran Khan of deflecting responsibility and denying knowledge on various issues, such as foreign funding and the Al-Qadir Trust case.
Aurangzeb listed a number of Toshakhana gifts declared by Imran Khan, including three houses and furniture spent on all three houses. However, she noted that not a single vehicle was declared by him, despite his declaration of two goats with honesty, failing to provide the receipt of the watch in court.
