ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI/PESHAWAR:
Former Prime Minister and PTI Founder Chairman Imran Khan, now embroiled in deep legal troubles, has categorically rejected the idea of striking a deal for his freedom after being convicted in the Al-Qadir Trust case, d ‘worth £190 million.
Speaking to reporters in the courtroom after his sentencing Friday, the embattled leader took a defiant stance, vowing to uphold his principles no matter the cost.
“I will not reach any agreement or seek any redress. Those who oppose the dictatorship are punished,” Imran said, as PTI leaders denounced the verdict outside Adiala jail, where tensions were high after the long-awaited decision.
PTI leaders declared the day a “black day” for the country, denouncing the verdict as a continuation of the government’s continued “political victimization” of the former ruling party.
Meanwhile, a post on Imran’s X account shared a message from the jailed leader, urging his supporters not to lose hope, calling the judgment a “joke”.
“I will never accept this dictatorship,” the message reads. “I am prepared to remain in prison for as long as it takes in the fight against this tyranny. I will not compromise on my principles or on the fight for the nation’s true freedom. I will not make any deals and I will be confronted with all the baseless accusations made against me.
Imran accused the judiciary of being complicit in undermining his own credibility. “Following the grim verdict in the Al-Qadir Trust case, the justice system has further eroded its credibility,” he said.
“Judges who uphold tyranny and act as directed are rewarded. Judges appointed to the Islamabad High Court have only one qualification: to rule against me.”
Imran claimed the verdict was premeditated. “The outcome of the case was known to everyone in advance. Whether it was the delay in the verdict or the discussions regarding the sentence, everything was disclosed in advance to the media,” he said. -he declared, further claiming that “the same person who dictated the verdict” to the judge also leaked it to the media.
He also questioned the futility of ongoing negotiations with the government, especially without progress on PTI’s demands for judicial investigations into key events, including the May 9, 2023 protests and the November 26, 2024 incidents.
“Dishonest individuals never allow neutral arbiters to intervene,” he said. “The government is avoiding asking for a judicial commission because it is dishonest.”
Gathering of PTI leaders
Outside the jail, PTI leaders minced no words in condemning the verdict. Lawyer Gohar said, “The court’s behavior was unfair. Khan sahib did not benefit from a single rupee in this case. He is merely a trustee, not the owner of Al-Qadir University Project.”
He added: “It is shameful that a woman, administrator of a philanthropic children’s education project, was sentenced to seven years in prison.”
PTI leader Omar Ayub questioned the selective application of justice. “Why was Hassan Nawaz not questioned about how he took money out of Pakistan to buy a property in Hyde Park? We condemn this and will challenge the verdict in the higher courts,” he said. he declared.
Shibli Faraz slammed the justice system, saying: “While thieves roam free, the innocent and honest are punished. In a country where there is neither the rule of law nor the supremacy of the constitution, looters are considered respectable. »
Faraz added: “The majority of Pakistanis are languishing in prisons or struggling with the hardships of life, consumed by inflation. It is a dark day, which we strongly condemn. »
PTI lawyer Faisal Chaudhry called the move a “political use of NAB”. He said: “There is no evidence of monetary gain, proceeds of crime or financial corruption. This is an absurd decision in an absurd case.”
“Today is a black day. The rights of the public are being violated. This is yet another attempt to politically target Imran Khan. The courts have failed to protect the rights of citizens and deliver justice in accordance with the law,” he lamented.
“Murder of justice”
Mahmood Khan Achakzai, president of the Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and leader of the opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Aaeen-e-Pakistan, expressed his strong condemnation of the decision, saying: “No matter how much we condemn today’s verdict, even less so.”
“We totally reject this decision and will take it to all possible authorities.”
He said that if Imran agreed to remain silent and not speak against the government, he would be released, but Achakzai said: “We do not want such freedom.” We will win this battle with the power of the people.”
Majlis-e-Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen chief Allama Raja Nasir Abbas also slammed the move, saying Pakistan was facing a crisis and leaders were playing “the worst games”.
He called the verdict a “murder of justice,” saying those who make decisions contrary to the law should not remain judges. “The people of Pakistan reject this decision,” he added, declaring that “the oppressors will eventually be defeated.”
Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza also condemned the verdict, saying the ruling party’s allies knew about the decision in advance.
“The judge who handed down this verdict now bears a stain,” he said. “The PTI founder president said that whatever they do, it will only bring shame. His only mistake is not to bow down. He will emerge victorious and will be released from jail.”
PTI MP Zartaj Gul expressed solidarity with Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, saying, “No matter how much they try to break the founding president of PTI, they cannot intimidate or bend him. Bushra Bibi is dragged into every case.
“We stand with Imran Khan and we will seek justice in all courts. He will walk out of Adiala jail through the front gate, without any agreement. We will never give up on him and Imran Khan will never give up Pakistan,” the PTI leader said. sworn.
