The Pakistan government may register a new case with the intention of keeping Imran Khan in jail. Rana Sanaullah, a key adviser to PM Shahbaz Sharif, has indicated this. He alleged in a program that the main agenda of the PTI chief is to destabilize the country and spread anarchy. Said that the government wants to keep Imran Khan behind bars for as long as possible.
Even though his party is protesting nationwide for the release of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been lodged in Rawalpindi’s high-security Adiala Jail since September 2023. But the Pakistan government wants to keep Imran Khan in jail for as long as possible. A senior Pakistani government official has indicated this in a program on a news channel. This statement of Rana Sanaullah, the Prime Minister’s adviser on political affairs, who is also a former interior minister, is creating a ruckus.
And he alleged that Imran Khan’s main agenda is to destabilize the country and spread anarchy. He indicated that the Shahbaz government is planning to register new cases against Khan. News agency ANI has given this information quoting Geo News.
On this statement of Rana Sanaullah, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has immediately warned against any unjust attempt to keep former Prime Minister and its party leader Imran Khan in jail. PTI shared the clip of the program and a brief statement against Sanaullah’s remarks in a WhatsApp message. In which it is written that senior ruling party official and former Interior Minister of Pakistan Rana Sanaullah hinted at framing new charges against Imran Khan. Any further unjust attempt to keep him in jail will increase anger among supporters, as they are eagerly waiting for him to get bail.
What is the plan to keep Imran in jail?
Shahbaz’s advisor said that the government will not forcibly keep the former PM in jail. He said that the government will take action against Imran only in accordance with the Constitution and the law. However, he stressed that like the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), PTI has also got a mandate in the general elections.
Rana Sanaullah belongs to PMLN
Let us tell you that Rana Sanaullah belongs to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the main party of the ruling coalition, which is a staunch rival of Imran Khan’s PTI. The gap between the two parties was increasing since the riots on May 9 last year. At the same time, before the elections held on February 8, Imran Khan had said that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif is the favorite of the powerful military establishment and after the polling day, he alleged that PML-N had stolen his party’s mandate.
Imran Khan does not believe in democracy – Rana
At the same time, in the TV program, Rana Sanaullah said that PTI leaders are in jail because they have been sentenced by the courts. He also said that Imran Khan does not believe in dialogue and asked what should be done in such a case. Sanaullah further said that there is no other way than dialogue to solve many issues in democracy, but Imran Khan does not believe in democracy. He said, we are political and democratic people and if Imran Khan intends to move forward with democracy, then PML-N has no enmity with him.
There is no other way to move forward: PM Sharif
PM Sharif said in the National Assembly today, “If their (PTI) founder is facing any kind of trouble (in jail), then I repeat it again – come, let’s sit and talk.” He said, “Let us sit together to take the country forward. We talk among ourselves for the betterment of the country. There is no other way for us to move forward.”
Shahbaz Sharif’s proposal of peace with Imran was extended at a time when his advisor indicated that Imran Khan could be kept in jail indefinitely. PM Sharif’s political advisor Rana Sanaullah said during an interview that the Sharif government would like to keep Imran Khan in jail for as long as possible.
Injustice was done to us too: PM Sharif
Commenting on Imran’s PTI winning the 2018 elections, PM Sharif said, “We then joined Parliament despite the rigged elections. The slogans raised during my first speech will always be remembered as a black chapter in the history books.”
Local news channel Geo News quoted PM Shahbaz Sharif as saying, “If someone is facing injustice, I believe that the scales of justice should be in favor of the victim, there is no difference, whether it is a politician or a person from any field.” Sharif also regretted that he had once again proposed to sit down for talks with Imran while being in the opposition, but such slogans were raised again. He said, “So who is responsible for this bitterness (among politicians)? The situation has become such that now we do not even shake hands.” No talks until release: Ayub Khan
72-year-old PM Sharif, referring to the harassment by the Imran government, said, “When my mother died, I was in jail. Even after suffering from cancer and spinal problems, I was taken to court in a normal prison van, but I never complained about it.”
On Prime Minister Sharif’s statement, opposition leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan said that PTI will talk to the government only when Imran Khan and other leaders and workers imprisoned in jail are released. He said, “You torture our workers, you have kept our women workers in jail vans at a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius. Imran Khan has been kept in a death cell, there is also a furnace-like atmosphere there.”
Action has been taken in many cases
Action has been taken against Imran Khan in many cases since he was removed from the post of PM. Khan is facing many charges ranging from corruption to terrorism. After getting relief in other cases including Toshakhana, Imran Khan was recently acquitted in the cipher case. However, his release from jail has not been possible due to being convicted in the Iddat case.
FAQs
1. Why is Imran Khan in jail?
Imran Khan has been in Rawalpindi’s high-security Adiala Jail since September 2023. He faces multiple charges, including corruption and terrorism. Despite securing relief in some cases, his continued imprisonment is due to convictions in other ongoing cases.
2. What did Rana Sanaullah say about Imran Khan?
Rana Sanaullah, a key adviser to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, indicated in a televised program that the government may register new cases against Imran Khan to keep him in jail for as long as possible. He accused Khan of attempting to destabilize the country and spread anarchy.
3. How has PTI responded to Rana Sanaullah’s statements?
PTI has strongly condemned any unjust attempts to prolong Imran Khan’s imprisonment. The party warned that further actions against Khan would increase anger among his supporters, who are eager for his release.
4. What legal battles is Imran Khan currently facing?
Imran Khan faces a variety of charges, including corruption and terrorism. While he has been acquitted in some cases, such as the Toshakhana case, he remains in jail due to convictions in other cases.
5. What is the government’s stance on Imran Khan’s imprisonment?
The government, represented by Rana Sanaullah, asserts that any action taken against Imran Khan will adhere to the Constitution and the law. However, there are indications that new cases might be registered to extend his imprisonment.
6. What did Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif propose regarding the political situation?
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has called for dialogue, emphasizing the need for political parties to sit together and address the country’s challenges. He stressed that dialogue is essential for moving forward democratically.
7. How has the political rivalry between PML-N and PTI evolved?
The rivalry between PML-N and PTI has intensified, particularly after the May 9 riots and the February 8 elections, which Imran Khan claimed were rigged. The recent developments and statements by government officials have further deepened this animosity.
8. What are the conditions like for Imran Khan in jail?
Imran Khan has reportedly been kept in harsh conditions, including being held in a death cell with furnace-like conditions. PTI has criticized the government’s treatment of Khan and other party members.
9. What historical context did PM Sharif provide about his own experiences?
PM Sharif reflected on past injustices faced by his party, including his own imprisonment under harsh conditions during Imran Khan’s government. He emphasized the importance of justice and fair treatment for all, regardless of political affiliation.
10. What is the opposition’s stance on dialogue with the government?
Opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan stated that PTI would engage in dialogue with the government only after Imran Khan and other jailed leaders and workers are released. He highlighted the severe treatment PTI members have faced, calling for their immediate release before any talks can occur.
11. What are the potential implications of registering new cases against Imran Khan?
Registering new cases against Imran Khan could further extend his imprisonment, potentially exacerbating political tensions in Pakistan. It may also lead to increased protests and unrest among his supporters, further destabilizing the political landscape.
12. What are the next steps for PTI and Imran Khan’s supporters?
PTI and Imran Khan’s supporters plan to continue protesting and advocating for his release. They have warned that any further unjust actions to keep Khan in jail will only increase their determination and anger, potentially leading to larger demonstrations and increased political pressure on the government