ISLAMABAD: Incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan, while reflecting on the 2024 nationwide general election from within the confines of Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, once again voiced his apprehensions, likening the situation to Sri Lanka’s electoral turmoil, attributing it to what he described as the theft of the nation’s mandate.
Expressing his conviction in his past predictions, Khan reiterated his stance during an informal exchange with journalists, underscoring his refusal to engage in negotiations with the current administration for any form of compromise.
Khan denounced the election process as fraudulent, alleging deliberate exclusion of PTI from participation. Despite the electorate’s backlash on polling day, Khan lamented the lack of acceptance for a democratic transition of power.
Emphasizing their commitment to peaceful protests and legal recourse, Khan disclosed plans to challenge the alleged electoral malpractice in the Supreme Court, while also anticipating potential manipulation in the forthcoming Senate elections.
Amid Pakistan’s impending IMF loan negotiations and the anticipated surge in inflation, Khan warned of widespread public unrest, foreseeing a turbulent economic future.
Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan’s visit to Adiala Jail shed light on the party’s ongoing deliberations regarding candidate selection for the upcoming Senate polls.
Despite encountering restrictions on inmate meetings, Barrister Gohar affirmed their dedication to finalizing crucial decisions, including candidate nominations, in consultation with Imran Khan.
Criticizing the incumbent government for what he deemed as unjust practices, Barrister Gohar raised concerns over the inclusion of individuals from the former caretaker government in the federal cabinet, highlighting perceived moral deficits in governance.
Further, PTI leaders, along with legal representatives, staged a protest outside the Islamabad High Court, subsequently attempting to advance towards the Parliament House.
However, their efforts were met with resistance, limiting access only to PTI lawmakers, highlighting ongoing tensions within Pakistan’s political landscape.
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
