Latest news with #FreeImranKhan
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Richard Grenell meets IK's sons
ISLAMABAD: Richard Grenell, the outspoken US envoy under President Donald Trump, dropped in on Imran Khan's sons in California on Wednesday, increasing pressure on Pakistani authorities by demanding his release. Grenell, one of Khan's most vocal international supporters, posted a photo on X with Khan's sons, Suleman and Kasim, writing: 'Welcome to California, my friends. I loved hanging out with you today.' He urged them to stay strong, adding: 'There are millions of people around the world who are sick of political prosecutions. You are not alone. #FreeImranKhan.' The meeting comes as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) prepares to launch a nationwide protest campaign demanding Khan's release on August 5. Under mounting government pressure, PTI has announced that Khan's sons – who have largely stayed out of the spotlight – will now take an active role in the protests, signalling a significant shift in their political involvement. Last month, Khan's sons publicly voiced concern over his health and conditions, drawing further scrutiny over his treatment behind bars. While Grenell's support remains largely symbolic, it resonates deeply with Khan's supporters, who hope that growing international attention will force Pakistani authorities to reconsider the detention of their leader. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Arab News
7 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Trump aide Richard Grenell meets Imran Khan's sons, urges release of jailed former PM
ISLAMABAD: Richard Grenell, the US Envoy for Special Missions under President Donald Trump, met with the jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's sons in California on Wednesday and renewed calls for their father's release, describing his imprisonment as 'political prosecution.' A close aide to the US president, Grenell has been a vocal supporter of Khan in recent months. His endorsement is seen as symbolically significant by supporters of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party who are seeking international attention on the issue. In a post on social media platform X, Grenell shared a photo with Sulaiman and Kasim Khan, saying: 'You must stay strong. There are millions of people around the world who are sick of political prosecutions. You are not alone. #FreeImranKhan.' Welcome to California, my friends. I loved hanging out with you today. Sulaiman and @Kasim_Khan_1999, you must stay strong. There are millions of people around the world who are sick of political prosecutions. You are not alone. #freeimrankhan — Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) July 22, 2025 The meeting comes as PTI prepares to launch a protest campaign in Pakistan demanding Khan's release. The party has announced that Khan's sons, who have largely avoided political engagement, will also participate in the campaign. Khan, 71, has been jailed since August 2023 and is currently serving a sentence on a number of charges. PTI says he faces more than 100 legal cases, all of which he calls politically motivated. PTI also remains under pressure, with several senior leaders behind bars and others in hiding or facing legal challenges. Rights groups have accused Pakistani authorities of cracking down on dissent and curbing space for political opposition. In a rare social media post last month, Khan's sons raised concerns about their father's prison conditions and called for his release, saying they feared for his health and well-being. The PTI has yet to finalize details of its planned protest campaign, expected to begin in early August to coincide with the second anniversary of Khan's arrest. The party has framed the movement as a democratic struggle for civil liberties and judicial independence.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Lahore boils as 'Free Imran Khan' movement begins: PTI vs Punjab Govt turns explosive! Details here
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been incarcerated since August 2023, with him combating several criminal cases since his tenure as PM ended. Imran Khan and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have maintained that these criminal charges are politically motivated, and have informally kickstarted the 'Free Imran Khan' movement less than a month before the formal commencement date of August 5. The movement kicked off with a series of protests in Lahore that were allegedly subjected to a police crackdown with several PTI members getting arrested. These protests were led by Ali Amin Gandapur, a PTI member and the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who went to Lahore this Saturday night alongside other party leaders and declared the gathering the launchpad of the 'Free Imran Khan' movement. The PTI is butting heads with the Shahbaz Sharif Government The PTI is on the warpath against the current Pakistani Government currently lead by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. Sharif, along with the country's military establishment, have been accused of pushing Imran Khan's politically motivated prosecution in order to silence all political opposition. Much of this narrative has been driven by Imran Khan himself, who's contested the charges brought up against him and maintained that he's innocent of any criminal wrongdoing. Medals mean nothing compared to someone who spent 30 years saving lives by building cancer hospitals. Free Imran Khan Now At least 20 PTI workers have been arrested by Lahore's police for their attempts at joining the recent protests, with a party spokesman saying: "The police have been raiding the party leaders and workers' residences in the Punjab province, especially Lahore, for the last couple of days to stop them from taking part in the protest activities." A Punjab police spokesperson denied accusations of targeting PTI party members for arrest. The 'Free Imran Khan' protests are set to ramp up on August 5 The protests against Imran Khan's incarceration are set to escalate by the time August 5 comes around. Amin Gandapur spoke out during the Saturday rally, saying: "Any protest campaign launched from Lahore earns success and this too will be successful across the country." One Nation One Leader One Demand Free Imran Khan!#FreeImranKhan #تحریک_تو_چلے_گی
News18
08-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
‘Looking Underconfident, Weak': Pakistanis Troll PM Shehbaz Sharif After India's Strike
Last Updated: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif was trolled heavily on social media over his body language during the address to nation after India's strike on Wednesday. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed to avenge 'every drop of Pakistani blood" on Wednesday, however, the citizens of his country trolled him for 'looking underconfident and weak" in the televised address to the nation. He addressed the nation yesterday after India struck terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, killing several terrorists and injuring many others in precision strikes without crossing the LoC on May 7. 'India will have to pay for today's strikes…26 civilians killed, including kids. We will exact revenge for every drop of Pakistani blood," he said yesterday. However, his own citizens were not too pleased with his address and called him out over his 'weak" appearance and body language. 'PM Shahbaz is looking underconfident and weak it's not a good look. Just saying," a Pakistani X user posted. PM Shahbaz is looking under confidence and weak its not a good look. Just saying— NOMAN SHAH (@nomanshaah) May 7, 2025 'shahbaz uncle pls start speaking in 2x speed and har baat pe speech nahi sunnana hota point pe ao," another citizen mocked his speech. 'jitni shehbaz sharif ki bolne ki speed hai is hisab se tou jung khatam bhi ho jayegi aur iski speech khatam nhi hogi," a user said. 'Shahbaz Sharif ko sun kar lag rha hai bss itni he retaliation dikhani the inho ney," a user wrote, taking a potshot over his promises to strikes India back. A Pakistani national labelled his Prime Minister a 'coward". 'Shahbaz Sharif is such a coward 😤. While addressing the nation on Indian attack, he didn't even once mention that India has to pay for its actions. Unbelievable. Utterly disappointed. That's why nations are built on true leaders, not imposed ones," the user posted. ملک کی سلامتی گئی تیل لینے ۔۔ مجھے 'اپنے باس " کی تعریف کرنی ہے ۔۔ یہ جنگ کے وقت کی تقریر ہے ہمارے وزیر اعظم کی ۔ 🫢So it is clear from Shahbaz Shareef cliched speech that there is no plan to retaliate . #IndiaPakistanTensions #FreeImranKhan — HAY (@yasiralihamza) May 7, 2025 'So it is clear from Shahbaz Shareef cliched speech that there is no plan to retaliate," a user said, while sharing the video of his address. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 08, 2025, 09:26 IST
India Today
02-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
As war fears rise, ex-Pak PM Imran Khan's supporters press for his release
As a spooked Pakistan army and government scramble to guess how India might punish them for the Pahalgam terror attack, they are met with another challenge – a political one. In recent days, the Shahbaz Sharif government has come under increasing pressure to release imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran a former star cricketer, was ousted from power in April 2022 after falling out with his former patron - the Pakistan army. Imran Khan led massive protests against the army before being jailed. After his arrest, his supporters attacked several military installations, including the army headquarters in Rawalpindi and the ISI building in the Pahalgam attack, social media platform X – which remains popular despite an official ban – has seen a massive surge in posts by Imran supporters demanding his release from the jail. Online campaigners also criticise army chief Munir for orchestrating the shooting that killed 26 people and injured 17 others in Pahalgam. As per X analytics data, the hashtag #ReleaseKhanForPakistan featured in more than 3 lakh posts. Another trending tag, #FreeImranKhan was used in over 35,000 posts by 2,500 unique users over a week ending April 29. The official account of Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), @PTIofficial, posted these hashtags more than 35 hashtags such as #RestoreAccessToImranKhan, #PakistanUnderMilitaryFascism, and #FreeKhanToLeadPakistan also gained traction, reflecting growing discontent with the current political and military leadership.A PTI-affiliated user @indoraptorPti posted: 'If India is going to attack Pakistan, then Imran Khan should be released immediately and taken to his residence.'In the Pakistani Senate last Monday, PTI Senator Shibli Faraz pushed for Imran Khan's release and inclusion in national campaign surged on PTI's 29th foundation day, which was marked by renewed appeals to end Khan's "unlawful" detention and restore him to political week, X users in Pakistan took on the Pakistan army chief by posting hashtags like #ResignAsimMunir, #PakistanUnderMilitaryFascism, #UndeclaredMartialLaw, and # decades, the Pakistani army has been blamed for sabotaging peace efforts with India and perpetrating cross-border terror attacks as a means to keep a firm grip on Watch
