ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder chairman Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, on Monday said her brother desires that the entire nation participate in the September 27 rally, which she described as a movement for the nation’s freedom.
During a media interaction outside Adiala Jail, She explained that the PTI founder has directed the party to ensure the event’s success. She also conveyed that, in his messages, Imran Khan termed the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia agreement very important and stressed that Pakistan must maintain and restore its contacts at the global level. She quoted him as saying that the “protection of the Haramain Sharifain is a blessing for us.”
Regarding the Toshakhana-II case, Aleema Khan claimed that a witness in the case has been proven to be a liar. She argued that the case should be dismissed on the basis of false testimony.
“It seems the case will conclude in the next two or three hearings, and we hope that the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi will be released in this case,” she expressed optimistically. She also mentioned that Imran Khan remains engaged with current affairs, including cricket, and criticised Mohsin Naqvi for, what she described, damaging the sport. She recalled Pakistan’s 10-wicket victory over India in 2021.
Aleema added that her brother lamented that PTI’s two-thirds majority was “taken away” and that the judiciary has been “completely suppressed” through the 26th Amendment. She concluded by stating that the PTI founder has entrusted the responsibility of organising the rally to Ali Amin Gandapur and Junaid Akbar.
Separately, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan stated that the party follows the instructions of its founder, Imran Khan, and not directives from social media, clarifying that the controversial ‘Mission Noor’ was not announced on any official party platform.
“We don’t know who spread this fake announcement. Nothing like this was officially announced by the party,” he said while speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail, where he had gone to meet the incarcerated PTI founder.
Gohar said that no single entity can control social media and that many volunteers are active online. When a journalist asked who runs the party’s social media and if he takes ownership of content critical of the state, Gohar explained that decisions are made by the party’s political committee, which receives guidance from jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. He emphasised that the party is regularly briefed on these decisions.
“Many volunteers are active on social media,” Gohar stated. “No one can control social media.” Barrister Gohar expressed regret that he was not permitted to meet his leader on Monday but remained optimistic about securing a meeting on Tuesday (today). He emphasised that such meetings are necessary and are in accordance with court orders, adding that they could help improve the situation.
He reiterated that the PTI does not have an anti-state agenda, stating that the party believes in the supremacy of the Constitution and democracy. He pointed out that the party founder has himself said that “the country is ours, and so is the army.”
Referring to past tensions, he noted, “When a situation erupted for Pakistan, we stood with our country against all of India. We won by six to zero—there is no example of this in the world.”
Commenting on the recent defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, he described it as a positive development. “We have always supported Saudi Arabia; our relationship is very strong. The PTI has held the opinion from the beginning that we will support whatever strengthens the Ummah,” he said.
He added that Pakistan is playing the role of a fortress for the Muslim Ummah and that his party has been at the forefront of the “Marka-e-Haq”, which it fully supported. Responding to a question, Barrister Gohar stated that the purpose of a fair trial is to provide the accused every opportunity to clear their name.
He also lamented the inadequate relief efforts for flood victims, stressing that affected people need medicines, livestock fodder, housing, and other facilities. He mentioned that the PTI has also been involved in aiding flood victims in Punjab. He further noted that the party’s rally had been postponed due to the floods, and that PTI workers have been assisting in relief activities.