PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Friday rejected the court judgement in the Al-Qadir Trust case convicting Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi.
The lawmakers vowed to launch a protest movement and file a review petition against the decision. They warned that Imran Khan would neither surrender nor negotiate, expressing confidence that he would emerge victorious and be released from prison. The assembly session, chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, witnessed a protest within the premises of the provincial legislature. Holding banners and placards with slogans against the decision and the federal government, the protesters marched into the assembly chamber, where they demanded a debate on the verdict.
During the session, PTI lawmaker Shafi Jan claimed that the judgement in the Al-Qadir Trust case was predetermined and delayed to pressure Imran Khan into a deal. “Imran Khan will neither bow down nor compromise; he will come out of prison with his head held high,” he declared. Muzzammil Aslam, adviser to the chief minister on finance, said that Imran Khan was being punished for his welfare initiatives.
Other PTI members, including Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani, Pir Musawir Khan, and Liaq Khan accused the judiciary of undermining justice and damaging public trust. “This sentence is a mockery of justice and a blow to the people’s faith in the judiciary,” said Ghani, emphasizing the need for the Supreme Court to review the decision. The lawmakers resolved to challenge the judgement through a review petition and mobilize public support through protests.
MPA Sohail Afridi said, “Imran Khan is a certified ‘Sadiq and Ameen’ (truthful and trustworthy). He will forgive all upon his release.” Law Minister Aftab Alam highlighted the broader implications of the decision, describing it as an attack on democracy and the people’s mandate.
He criticized the judiciary for ignoring crucial cases, such as the assassination attempt on Imran Khan, while targeting him with politically motivated charges.
The session concluded with fiery speeches and a commitment to resist what they described as a coordinated effort to undermine PTI and its leadership.