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  • February 18, 2025
The government has offered a deal to release Imran Khan under protest pressure: Aleema Khan

The government has offered a deal to release Imran Khan under protest pressure: Aleema Khan

Aleema Khan, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and chairman Imran Khan, has said that the government told lawyer Gohar that if there was a protest in Sangjani last month, the party’s jailed leader would be released.

Aleema Khan said at the Anti-Terrorism Court in Lahore that the government had become frightened when the protests started and contacted lawyer Gohar, asking him to intervene and promising to secure Imran Khan’s release, Express News reported .

During her court appearance, Aleema Khan expressed her dissatisfaction with the lengthy legal process and stated that her family had been attending court hearings for more than a year without any resolution.

She criticized the repeated changes in the absence of judges and police officers from the court, which delayed the confirmation of bail applications.

Aleema Khan also raised concerns over her involvement in cases, claiming that she was named in several cases during her captivity.

She wondered how they were nominated in the cases, noting that the investigating officer alleged that she had incited party workers.

In a media interaction after the court hearing, Aleema Khan said that although the cases relating to the May 9 incidents were still pending, no substantial evidence had been provided by the prosecution.

She expressed her frustration at the lack of progress in the trials and emphasized the need to expedite the May 9 case.

PTI leader Salman Akram Raja also commented on the ongoing political situation and stated that the political process should continue without any hindrances.

He expressed hope that the country would progress towards prosperity and assured that necessary steps would be taken to ensure peace.

The court extended the bail of Aleema Khan and other family members till January 18 and asked the police to submit a report on the investigation.

Earlier on Friday, Aleema Khan called for the formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT), led by Supreme Court judges, to probe the incidents of May 9 and November 26, while demanding the immediate release of all detainees.

Speaking to media outside Adiala prison, Aleema warned that if her demands were not met on Friday, a civil disobedience campaign would be launched, which would include calling on Pakistanis abroad to stop sending money transfers.

She accused the state of using “terror tactics” over the past two and a half years and alleged that the May 9 riots were orchestrated by certain groups. She further alleged that these elements had stolen CCTV footage to cover up their actions, used snipers to kill 16 people and subjected women to severe beatings.

“A system based on tyranny cannot last,” she said. “Even a system built on disbelief can survive, but not a system built on injustice.”

Aleema also expressed sadness over the “destruction of democracy,” stressing that democracy rests on three pillars: the judiciary, the legislature and the media. “All three have been dismantled,” she added.