Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former Prime Minister, has said that the country and its people need both the establishment and PTI.
This statement was conveyed by Advocate Faisal Chaudhry following his meeting with Imran Khan at Adiala Jail. Speaking to the media, Chaudhry revealed that Khan remains in good health and is being kept informed of recent developments despite significant restrictions on visitors.
According to Chaudhry, only two out of six listed lawyers, Naeem Haider Panjotha and Usman Gul, were allowed to meet Khan. Other party leaders and legal counsel were denied access, and even family members, including Khan’s sisters, have not been permitted to visit—something Chaudhry stressed is a constitutional right.
During the meeting, Khan was briefed on legal and political matters, including recent issues involving party leaders and his wife, Bushra Bibi. He expressed concern over ongoing judicial delays, saying PTI’s cases are not being scheduled in court.
Imran Khan criticized what he described as a deliberate effort to crush PTI, claiming the country has been turned into a “banana republic” in the process. “Every institution—from the judiciary to the FIA and police—has been systematically dismantled,” he said.
Referring to the controversial Mines and Minerals Bill, Khan instructed that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister and senior party leadership brief him directly. He emphasized the bill’s controversial nature and the importance of gaining public trust to avoid unrest.
On Afghanistan, Khan said PTI had always advocated for inclusive dialogue to end terrorism. “We spent three years trying to create a strategy. The government wasted time, resulting in unnecessary loss of lives, including our soldiers,” he added.
He also lamented the lack of foreign direct investment, attributing it to the absence of rule of law in the country. “Without foreign exchange, there can be no economic growth,” he said.
Khan reiterated his party’s central role in maintaining national unity. “PTI is a federal party capable of holding Pakistan together,” he said.
Meanwhile, Usman Gul informed Khan that a contempt of court petition regarding restrictions on his communication is scheduled for hearing on April 28.
The former Prime Minister’s comments come amid escalating tensions between the state and his party, which continues to face legal and political challenges across the country.
