Feb 8 protest call not given by Imran Khan, says Aleema Khan

ISLAMABAD: Aleema Khan, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, has clarified that the call for protests on February 8 was not issued by Imran Khan but by the opposition alliance.

Talking to the media in Rawalpindi, Aleema Khan said the court had been informed that PTI founder had only directed supporters to hold peaceful protests for the independence of the judiciary.

She said, however, that those raising their voices were instead being sent to jail.

She said Imran Khan believes in the rule of law in the country and has never asked people to come out on the streets for him personally.

“Had justice been available through the courts, Imran Khan would not be in his current situation,” she said.

Aleema Khan said even the recitation of the Holy Quran outside Adiala jail was being treated as a crime, while those protesting for judicial independence were being imprisoned.

She alleged that Imran Khan was being illegally kept in solitary confinement.

Aleema Khan further said that when she was returning home late last night, the SHO of Rawat police station detained people accompanying her and impounded several vehicles.

She said three female party workers were arrested and more than eight vehicles were taken into custody. She added that money had to be paid to the police to secure the release of the vehicles.

She reiterated that the February 8 protest call was issued by the opposition alliance, not by Imran Khan.

Meanwhile, the PTI has submitted a list of individuals who will meet Imran Khan to jail authorities.

Thursday is the designated day for meetings with the PTI founder, and the party has forwarded the list of visitors to prison officials.

PTI coordinator Salman Akram Raja submitted a six-member list to the jail administration.

According to the list, Safdar Hassan Yousafzai, Imran Shaukat Khan and Ainanullah are among those scheduled to meet Imran Khan. The list also includes the names of Saad Ali Khan, Niazullah Niazi and Falak Naz.

Sources said the meeting would take place according to the schedule set under jail rules.