After a meeting with Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in Attock Jail, his lawyer, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, announced on Saturday that the former prime minister is willing to engage in discussions with both institutions and political parties regarding upcoming elections.
The legal team from PTI, consisting of Intezar Panjotha, Shoaib Shaheen, Naeem Panjotha, Gohar Ali Khan, and his personal physician, Dr. Faisal Sultan, had the opportunity to meet with the ousted prime minister. Imran Khan was removed from office in April of the previous year through a no-confidence motion, and permission for this meeting was granted by ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain.
Barrister Gohar Ali Khan quoted Imran Khan as saying, “Khan was put in jail illegally, but despite all this, he is ready to engage in dialogue with institutions and political parties.” He also emphasized that the primary focus of these discussions would be on holding elections within a 90-day timeframe.
In response to questions, advocate Shaheen assured that Imran Khan was in good health and fitness during his time in jail, emphasizing the importance of political stability for a country’s progress.
According to Shaheen, Imran Khan expressed his concern about the lack of respect for the courts in the country. He clarified that no deals were made during their meeting, as per the imprisoned former premier’s statement.
Shaheen also noted that Imran Khan spends one hour daily exercising in jail. Quoting the PTI chairman, the lawyer conveyed that Khan remains steadfast in his path and criticized those who keep their assets abroad, benefiting from fluctuations in the exchange rate.
Imran Khan’s political struggle and sacrifices, as per his statement, are made for the betterment of the nation. Currently, he is serving a three-year jail term in the Toshakhana case. He was arrested on August 5 from his Zaman Park residence in Lahore for his involvement in the case, which accused him of misusing his premiership from 2018 to 2022 to buy and sell gifts received during foreign visits, with a total value of more than Rs140 million ($635,000).
Despite the Islamabad High Court overturning a lower court’s decision to jail him for three years and imposing a Rs100,000 fine, preventing him from contesting upcoming elections, Imran Khan remains in custody due to his judicial remand in the cipher case. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested him under the Official Secrets Act earlier this month in the cipher case, and he was subsequently placed on judicial remand until August 30 while serving his sentence in the Toshakhana case at Attock jail.