ISLAMABAD (PEN) : The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has firmly denied media reports alleging that its founder, Imran Khan, had admitted to calling for a protest outside the Pakistan Army’s General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi before his arrest on May 9.
Former National Assembly speaker and senior PTI leader, Asad Qaiser, addressed these reports, saying: “[Khan] didn’t say what is being reported in the media […] we [categorically] deny this.”
This rebuttal comes after Khan, while speaking to journalists during a court hearing inside Adiala jail, allegedly acknowledged that he had called for a peaceful protest outside the GHQ prior to his arrest. He explained that this was in response to the “attack” on his Zaman Park residence by law enforcement officials.
Imran Khan has been entangled in numerous legal battles, facing accusations related to the May 9 riots, which erupted following his arrest in a corruption case. These riots led to the vandalization of various military and state properties, including the Lahore Corps Commander’s residence.
The current and former governments have repeatedly blamed Khan and PTI’s senior leadership for allegedly orchestrating “organized” attacks on military installations. Despite securing some legal victories, Khan still faces 12 cases connected to the May 9 incidents, currently being heard by an Anti-Terrorism Court.
Of these cases, five were registered at Sarwar Road Police Station, three at Gulberg Police Station, and one each at Race Course, Shadman, Mughalpura, and Model Town police stations.
Countering the media reports about Khan’s remarks, Qaiser emphasized that lawyers who were present during the former Prime Minister’s interaction with journalists at Adiala jail have refuted the attributed statement.
He said that he was with Khan and that the comments attributed to him were not true,” Qaiser stated, underscoring the party’s position.
Through this denial, PTI continues to navigate the turbulent political landscape, seeking to clarify and protect the narrative surrounding its actions and intentions.
