I won't accept slavery, says Imran
Amid swirling whispers of backroom bargains and quid pro quo compromises, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has doubled down, declaring he would rather "rot in jail for life" than kneel before what he denounced as "a system of Pharaohs and Yazidiyat".
The former prime minister urged his party to brace for a sweeping nationwide movement.
"Whatever torture they inflict, I will never accept slavery," Imran Khan conveyed from Adiala Jail through his sister Aleema Khan, who spoke to reporters on Monday.
"Even if they keep me in jail for life, I will not surrender," Imran told his sister, adding that the party should now prepare for a nationwide movement rather than concentrating on Islamabad.
Aleema said her brother sent across three key points during their meeting. "He has not been given even the basic rights entitled to an ordinary prisoner. In the last eight months, he has been allowed to speak to his children only once."
"We sisters are not allowed to meet him, and even the books we try to send are withheld by the jail administration," Aleema lamented.
She further alleged that Imran's personal doctors were not being allowed to examine him and that court orders on contempt petitions were being flouted. "Bushra Bibi has been jailed to pressure him. But even then, he said: 'I will not bend.'"
Aleema also criticised vloggers and YouTubers who claim that a deal has been struck for Imran's release.
"Now we understand these are planted stories to cool down public sentiment. They say Americans have arrived and a deal is done, but all of it is just to manage public expectations."
Imran's message to his party, according to Aleema, was clear, asserting that the PTI was a party of ideology, not selectable.
"Young people other than the founder are also in jail. We received votes for our ideology, not personalities. Anyone not aligned with this ideology has no place in the party. Those playing on both sides of the wicket are also not welcome."
She added that Imran was visibly angry when he said: "Time has changed. Just look at the judiciary. The Al-Qadir case hasn't been fixed for a hearing in three months. Other cases related to May 9 and bail are also pending. Judges promised hearings, but didn't deliver."
'Imran to be released before Eid'
On the other hand, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan expressed optimism that the incarcerated party supremo might be released before the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.
Speaking to journalists outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC) alongside Senator Shibli Faraz, Gohar urged party workers to remain calm, saying all legal avenues were being exhausted.
"We are making every effort for his release. We've held protests, raised the issue in Parliament, and approached the courts," he said. "Workers have every right to raise questions, and we value their emotions. No one can fathom how and why Imran Khan has spent two years behind bars."
According to Gohar, Imran remains steadfast in faith. "He says we turn to Allah in hardship, and He will show us the way."
He noted the party's patience was being tested. "Our people are tired, and even judges are tired of writing judgments. We are doing our best to ensure Imran Khan's cases are fixed and decided on merit."
Senator Shibli Faraz added that the acting chief justice of the IHC had personally assured Barristers Gohar and Latif Khosa that Imran Khan's petitions would be scheduled for hearing this week. "This wasn't just any assurance. It came from the acting chief justice himself, and we take it seriously."
He warned that blocking access to justice leads to instability. "People approach courts for justice. If denied, it leads to injustice and unrest. We believe in the Constitution and will continue to press for justice."
"The 26th Constitutional Amendment was the handiwork of PPP and PML-N. They've already destroyed their politics. Once Imran is free, their governments will fall," Faraz added.
Court allows photogrammetric, polygraph tests
In a related development in Lahore, an anti-terrorism court granted permission to police to conduct photogrammetric and polygraph tests of the PTI founder once again.
The court accepted the prosecution's request, directing that results be submitted by June 9.
Earlier, DSP Legal Javed informed the court that investigations could not proceed without these tests. Imran Khan refused the tests twice in writing, and a third time verbally.
"We assure the court that we will cooperate, and justice will not only be done but seen to be done."
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