Imran Khan Says Relief Was Offered for Postponing Islamabad Protest

Imran Khan

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan has confirmed receiving an “offer” through top party leaders to postpone the much-anticipated Islamabad protest scheduled for November 24.

Speaking to reporters at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, Khan revealed that he was assured “everything will be alright” if he accepted the proposal.

Imran’s lawyer Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry and his sister Aleema Khan stated on November 19 that the PTI founder authorized party leaders Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to engage in discussions but only with “powerful quarters,” a term often referring to the establishment.

According to reports, two preliminary meetings have already been held between representatives of the government and PTI to explore the possibility of initiating a formal dialogue process.

If both sides agree, this could lead to a major breakthrough, potentially averting the November 24 protest march. However, any agreement reached during these pre-dialogue consultations will need final approval from the top leadership of both parties.

Khan disclosed that he conditioned the postponement of the protest on the immediate release of detained PTI leaders, including himself, as a measure of the government’s sincerity. However, no action was taken. “They only want to delay the protest,” he remarked, criticizing the government’s lack of seriousness.

He further denounced the government for what he termed “political victimization,” citing cases filed against him as part of a broader agenda to undermine PTI’s political struggle.

Khan accused those in power of turning Pakistan into a “banana republic” and stated that the entire episode underscored their belief in being “above the law.”

Despite the ongoing talks, Imran remains resolute, calling on supporters, including lawyers, judges, laborers, and civil society, to participate in the November 24 protest, which he assured would proceed as planned.

Referring to the recently enacted judiciary reforms under the 26th Constitutional Amendment, Khan lamented that the amendment had not been fully implemented, stating that its enforcement could have prevented the ongoing political impasse.

Imran’s protest call is part of PTI’s broader campaign against the ruling coalition, which the party accuses of coming to power through rigged February 8 elections.

Over the past few months, PTI has organized multiple demonstrations in Islamabad, alleging electoral fraud, arbitrary arrests of party workers, and the undermining of judicial independence.

The November 24 protest, described as the “final” phase of this struggle, seeks to challenge these injustices and demonstrate what Khan calls the resolve of a “living nation.”