Despite PTI’s denial: Imran again admits to having given May 9 GHQ protest call

RAWALPINDI: Despite the denials issued by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) regarding the jailed party founder’s “confession” about the May 9 violent protests, Imran Khan has endorsed his earlier statement that he directed his party works to stage a peaceful protest outside the military’s General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi before his arrest last year.

The incarcerated former prime minister had recently admitted to giving a call for a protest outside the GHQ before his arrest on May 9, 2023.

The PTI leadership had refuted the media reports about Khan’s admission, claiming that the party founder “didn’t say what is being reported in the media”. “We [categorically] deny this,” former National Assembly speaker and senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser said referring to the party’s founder’s statement.

However, Khan once again endorsed what he had earlier said, stating that he had confirmed the same in “three vlogs”. “I had told the party to stage a peaceful protest outside GHQ if I get arrested,” he said on Monday while speaking to reporters at Adiala jail.

He said that he had issued directives for staging protests in the cantonment areas of the garrison city, adding that he had mentioned these things a dozen times during investigations. When asked about the the May 9 violent protests that saw attacks on state properties including military installations in many parts of the country, Khan said that the protest wasn’t peaceful because the riots were “pre-planned”.

“Neutral doesn’t mean animal, it means apolitical. I meant to say the army is non-partisan,” he said, while referring to his remark made at a rally in Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when he was the prime minister in 2022.

Imran Khan defended social media as the voice of the democratic public, urging against labelling it as ‘digital terrorism’. “Without criticism, institutions will be destroyed,” he warned. When reminded of his own laws penalising criticism of the military establishment during his tenure, Khan differentiated between criticism and defamation. He said that even former president Pervez Musharraf’s era was more liberal.

Khan affirmed that all institutions, including national security agencies, should be open to criticism. He highlighted the support judges receive on social media for ruling in the PTI favour. He stressed that the military belongs to Pakistan, not any political party.

Khan announced a major rally in Swabi on August 5, positioning it as a demonstration of PTI’s public power and a strategic move to avoid unrest.

Earlie, Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Ali Warraich granted 10-day physical remand of former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in Toshakhana reference, filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) recently.

An accountability court in Rawalpindi has extended the physical remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi by 10 days in a Toshakhana case. NAB had presented the couple before the court after the expiry of their previous seven-day remand and submitted a progress report on the newly filed case to the judge.

The hearing was attended by NAB Prosecutor General Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi and the investigative deputy director of the case Mohsin Haroon. During the hearing, the defence lawyer Salman Safdar opposed the extension in remand sought by the anti-graft body’s team.

The hearing also witnessed an altercation between the incarcerated former prime minister and NAB prosecutor general. “My wife has no links with the Toshakhana, why is she being punished,” Imran said, adding that the former first lady wasn’t a public office holder while he served on the post of premier.

“The NAB officials are sellouts who would do anything for money,” he jibed. The remarks offended Abbasi, who warned Imran “not to get personal with me” and talk about the case. He said he had never discussed anything “personal” about the PTI founder.

The NAB prosecutor challenged Imran to buy a complete dinner and tea set for Rs30,000 from Rawalpindi’s Raja Bazar, as he referred to the state gifts the former PM had received from the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

“Did Muhammad bin Salman gift you a dinner set and tea set worth Rs30,000,” Abbasi asked the cricketer-turned-politician. At this point, the court took a break during the hearing and resumed the proceedings afterward. Upon the resumption, Imran apologised to Abbasi for his remarks, which was accepted by the latter.