RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has directed his party to prepare for a major Imran Khan Movement across the country. His sister Aleema Khan shared this message with reporters outside Adiala Jail on Monday.
According to Aleema, Khan has ruled out any march on Islamabad. “This time, the protest campaign will be held nationwide,” she quoted him. However, she did not announce a specific date for the launch of this PTI campaign.
Aleema Khan conveyed three key points from the jailed leader. First, she said Imran Khan is being denied basic prisoner rights. Second, he has only been allowed to speak to his children once in the last eight months. Third, the jail authorities are not permitting him to meet his sisters.
She also mentioned that prison officials block books whenever the family sends them. “They don’t let his personal physician examine him either,” she told reporters. This has raised concerns about the former premier’s health.
The 71-year-old political figure has been locked up since August 2023. He faces multiple charges, including corruption and terrorism. His arrest followed his removal through a no-confidence vote in April 2022.
Quoting the PTI founder, Aleema said, “There is no place in PTI for those who play on both sides of the wicket.” She added that he remains defiant despite imprisonment. “Even if I am kept in jail for life, I will not bow down,” Khan said, according to her.
While Khan has called for preparations for the Imran Khan Movement, sources reveal a parallel track. PTI is reportedly working on restarting talks with the current government. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar and Barrister Saif are actively involved in this political drive.
These discussions had paused due to rising tensions between Pakistan and India, the insiders noted. Despite this, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Adviser on Information in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, denied any formal dialogue. However, he confirmed that efforts to secure Khan’s release are ongoing.
Saif had met the PTI founder last week inside Adiala Jail. During the meeting, Khan issued detailed instructions about resuming talks with the government.
In a crucial political turn, Imran Khan has shown willingness to begin negotiations. This came after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited PTI to a national dialogue during his recent address in the National Assembly.
The former prime minister insists that such talks should be held privately—away from media spotlight—to ensure serious results. This quiet approach to dialogue marks a new phase in PTI’s anti-government drive.
As the Imran Khan Movement gains momentum, PTI appears to be balancing street agitation and backchannel diplomacy. The coming days will determine the course of this growing nationwide agitation.