Latest news with #Aleema
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
I won't accept slavery, says Imran
Amid swirling whispers of backroom bargains and quid pro quo compromises, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has doubled down, declaring he would rather "rot in jail for life" than kneel before what he denounced as "a system of Pharaohs and Yazidiyat". The former prime minister urged his party to brace for a sweeping nationwide movement. "Whatever torture they inflict, I will never accept slavery," Imran Khan conveyed from Adiala Jail through his sister Aleema Khan, who spoke to reporters on Monday. "Even if they keep me in jail for life, I will not surrender," Imran told his sister, adding that the party should now prepare for a nationwide movement rather than concentrating on Islamabad. Aleema said her brother sent across three key points during their meeting. "He has not been given even the basic rights entitled to an ordinary prisoner. In the last eight months, he has been allowed to speak to his children only once." "We sisters are not allowed to meet him, and even the books we try to send are withheld by the jail administration," Aleema lamented. She further alleged that Imran's personal doctors were not being allowed to examine him and that court orders on contempt petitions were being flouted. "Bushra Bibi has been jailed to pressure him. But even then, he said: 'I will not bend.'" Aleema also criticised vloggers and YouTubers who claim that a deal has been struck for Imran's release. "Now we understand these are planted stories to cool down public sentiment. They say Americans have arrived and a deal is done, but all of it is just to manage public expectations." Imran's message to his party, according to Aleema, was clear, asserting that the PTI was a party of ideology, not selectable. "Young people other than the founder are also in jail. We received votes for our ideology, not personalities. Anyone not aligned with this ideology has no place in the party. Those playing on both sides of the wicket are also not welcome." She added that Imran was visibly angry when he said: "Time has changed. Just look at the judiciary. The Al-Qadir case hasn't been fixed for a hearing in three months. Other cases related to May 9 and bail are also pending. Judges promised hearings, but didn't deliver." 'Imran to be released before Eid' On the other hand, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan expressed optimism that the incarcerated party supremo might be released before the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. Speaking to journalists outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC) alongside Senator Shibli Faraz, Gohar urged party workers to remain calm, saying all legal avenues were being exhausted. "We are making every effort for his release. We've held protests, raised the issue in Parliament, and approached the courts," he said. "Workers have every right to raise questions, and we value their emotions. No one can fathom how and why Imran Khan has spent two years behind bars." According to Gohar, Imran remains steadfast in faith. "He says we turn to Allah in hardship, and He will show us the way." He noted the party's patience was being tested. "Our people are tired, and even judges are tired of writing judgments. We are doing our best to ensure Imran Khan's cases are fixed and decided on merit." Senator Shibli Faraz added that the acting chief justice of the IHC had personally assured Barristers Gohar and Latif Khosa that Imran Khan's petitions would be scheduled for hearing this week. "This wasn't just any assurance. It came from the acting chief justice himself, and we take it seriously." He warned that blocking access to justice leads to instability. "People approach courts for justice. If denied, it leads to injustice and unrest. We believe in the Constitution and will continue to press for justice." "The 26th Constitutional Amendment was the handiwork of PPP and PML-N. They've already destroyed their politics. Once Imran is free, their governments will fall," Faraz added. Court allows photogrammetric, polygraph tests In a related development in Lahore, an anti-terrorism court granted permission to police to conduct photogrammetric and polygraph tests of the PTI founder once again. The court accepted the prosecution's request, directing that results be submitted by June 9. Earlier, DSP Legal Javed informed the court that investigations could not proceed without these tests. Imran Khan refused the tests twice in writing, and a third time verbally. "We assure the court that we will cooperate, and justice will not only be done but seen to be done."
Express Tribune
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Imran open to talks with powers that be
PTI founder Imran Khan has reiterated his willingness to engage in dialogue with the establishment "for Pakistan's sake," while ruling out any negotiations with the PML-N, which he accused of "eroding the country's moral foundations". Speaking to the media on Tuesday, his sister Aleema Khan said Imran clarified three key points: his categorical refusal to engage with the government, his continued emphasis on Amr bil Maroof (enjoining good and standing for truth) and his openness to talk to the establishment, if they so choose. "Khan sahib said he never shut the door on dialogue with the establishment. But he made it clear there will be no talks whatsoever with the PML-N," Aleema said. She said that Imran also cited the examples of senior PTI leaders Dr Yasmin Rashid and Andleeb Abbas. "Yasmin Rashid remains imprisoned despite not even holding a press conference," he was quoted as saying. "The cypher case has concluded, but Shah Mahmood Qureshi is still behind bars." Amid persistent speculation about a potential political deal, Aleema quoted Imran as saying: "People keep asking us about a deal. Let it be clear that there is no deal. If the establishment is serious about Pakistan, I am ready to talk. But not with this government."
Express Tribune
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Imran warns against lowering guard after India truce
PTI founder Imran Khan has warned of a potential fresh attack from India and stressed the need for the armed forces to remain vigilant in the wake of escalating regional tensions. The former prime minister conveyed this message during a rare meeting with his sisters, including Aleema Khan, who were allowed to see him after eight weeks. Speaking to the media following the meeting on Tuesday, Aleema said Imran was concerned that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he described as someone who hates Pakistan, may act recklessly in anger. "In war, 60 per cent of the game is mental. I fear Modi might act again," she quoted her brother as saying. Aleema added that Imran discussed the broader national sentiment, saying that "the people of Pakistan are very happy," but also stressed the importance of swift responses in times of conflict. He said that a "false flag operation" had been carried out in Indian-occupied Kashmir. During the meeting, Imran also took aim at the 26th Constitutional Amendment, calling it the "burial of the rule of law" and a mechanism to legitimise trying civilians in military courts. "Judicial independence has been rolled back," he reportedly said, adding that public support was crucial during wartime. Aleema said her brother also questioned the party's relatively muted response to military court trials, asking why PTI had not taken a stronger stance. "His priority is the movement," she said. "As for Junaid Akbar [who resigned as PAC chairman], he said it was up to him to decide which position he wanted to hold." "My priority is the movement, not the PAC," she further quoted him as saying. The former prime minister also questioned the absence of CCTV footage from the May 9 incidents.
Express Tribune
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Aleema slams Imran's 'controlled' meetings
Aleema Khan, the sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, has accused authorities of selectively allowing meetings with the PTI founder, barring those who genuinely wish to see him. Speaking outside Adiala Jail on Tuesday, she revealed that she and her sisters were made to wait for two and a half hours but were ultimately denied a meeting. She condemned the judiciary, calling the legal system "decayed" and accusing it of dragging out politically motivated cases. She lamented that while Bushra Bibi's family was allowed a meeting, the three sisters were not granted the same access. According to Aleema, the incarcerated party supremo told his lawyers that jail authorities had informed him there would be no meetings during Eid holidays. Moreover, senior lawyers Hamid Khan and Uzair Bhandari were also denied access. She questioned why courts, which can impose restrictions on lawyers speaking to the media, cannot ensure that meetings occur as per an approved list. Aleema further claimed that Imran was being kept in solitary confinement and demanded transparency regarding the state's intentions toward him. However, despite all hardships, Imran's sister asserted he remained strong. Expressing deep concern over the situation in Balochistan, the PTI founder reportedly told his lawyers that his government had previously resolved issues in the province through dialogue. Aleema also disclosed that during a joint investigation team (JIT) inquiry, she was accused of being responsible for social media activity regarding PTI. "We believe what our lawyers tell us, but ultimately, it is the courts and judges who must ensure justice," she said, adding that judicial credibility was at stake. She also lamented that nearly a thousand PTI workers had been imprisoned since November 26, lamenting that these individuals were jailed not for personal reasons but for Pakistan's cause. "One court grants bail, while another summons them in a different case. We will do whatever we can for our detainees," she vowed. Meanwhile, a dispute arose at Adiala Jail's Gate 5 after Babar Awan was granted permission to meet the PTI founder, despite objections from PTI's legal coordinator, Salman Akram Raja. It was the first scheduled meeting day following an Islamabad High Court (IHC) directive. Tensions flared when Babar Awan submitted his name for approval ahead of Salman Akram Raja. Raja later objected, arguing that only lawyers he approved should be allowed access. He provided a list including himself, Niazullah Niazi, Naeem Panjutha, Zaheer Chaudhry, Hamid Khan and Azam Swati. However, jail authorities removed Swati from the list and instead permitted Awan to proceed. The change in the list led to a confrontation, with Raja demanding that Awan be barred. "If he is allowed inside, we will protest," he warned. Jail officials initially assured him that Awan would not be permitted entry, urging Raja and other leaders to proceed with their meeting. However, jail authorities later allowed Awan inside, breaking their earlier assurance. Eventually, six PTI lawyers, including Awan, met with the PTI founder. Speaking informally with journalists afterward, Awan confirmed the meeting and said that Raja was also present.
