Govt offered Imran’s release for restricting protest to Sangjani, claims Aleema

LAHORE: Aleema Khan has disclosed that the government had made an offer to release incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PIT) founder Imran Khan, if the party agreed to halt protestors at Sangjani area of Islamabad.

On November 26, the government permitted the PTI protestors, coming from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in response to the “final call” issued by Imran Khan, to hold a peaceful sit-in demonstration at Sangjani area of Islamabad. However, they insisted on moving on, citing the reason that their leader has directed them to reach D-Chowk “under any circumstance”.

Speaking to media outside the Anti-Terrorism Court in Lahore on Saturday, Imran Khan’s sister Aleema khan revealed that following the November 24 protest, the government had reached out to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, offering Imran Khan’s release if the party agreed to cease their demonstrations.

Aleema explained that the government’s response came as a result of growing public unrest. She claimed that the authorities, fearing the escalation of protests, sent Barrister Gohar to meet Imran Khan in Adiala Jail. Under pressure, the government allegedly promised that the PTI leader would be freed within 20 days.

Khan’s sister, who has been proactively working for his release since weeks, also provided an update on the ongoing legal proceedings. She said that there had been appearances in 3-4 cases but that the trial for the Jinnah House case had yet to begin.

Aleema emphasized that they were not seeking bail but wanted the trial on May 9 cases to start at earliest.

She expressed frustration over the lack of evidence in the case, saying that the prosecutor would not be able to furnish sufficient proof before the court during trial.

She also showed grave concern over the delays in trial, claiming that lives of people were being ruined and that the justice system was wasting valuable time of nation.