Unaware of police entering Parliament Lodges during my tenure: Imran Khan

Imran Khan, founding leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has claimed ignorance regarding the police operation at Parliament Lodges during his tenure as Prime Minister.

In March 2022, while Imran was in office, Islamabad police conducted a raid at Parliament Lodges, resulting in the arrest of 19 individuals, including JUI-F MNAs Salahuddin Ayubi and Maulana Jamal-ud-Din. The operation sparked significant controversy and was widely covered on social media.

When asked anou the incident during an informal discussion with journalists at Adiala Jail on Saturday, Imran asserted that no one was forcibly removed from Parliament under his leadership and criticised the current government for allegedly ignoring democratic norms.

Addressing queries about the drug case involving Rana Sanaullah, Imran stated that the case was initiated by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF).

He confirmed that he had called upon the ANF head, who briefed the cabinet and presented evidence related to Sanaullah’s case.

Imran acknowledged relying on the statements and evidence from the ANF, that is headed by a Major General, despite claims from PTI leaders suggesting the case was fabricated.

Imran also discussed his efforts to intervene in the abduction of journalist Matiullah Jan and accused the current government of human rights violations and electoral fraud through new constitutional amendments.

Imran also criticised Shehbaz Sharif, alleging intervention by Bajwa to prevent Sharif’s conviction on money laundering charges.

He dismissed other legal issues involving Sharif, Nawaz Sharif, and Ishaq Dar as outdated claiming that only the money laundering case had proven charges.

Imran targeted Qazi Faez Isa and condemned recent amendmentsas that he said undermined democratic processes. Imran argued that democracy in Pakistan is at risk with smaller parties gaining parliamentary representation and criticised media restrictions and judicial threats.

He urged his party to prepare for a street movement, indicating that if the government thought they would remain silent about these amendments, they were mistaken.

Despite restrictions, he announced a rally in Lahore on 21 September, asserting that holding such rallies is both a democratic and constitutional right.

He criticised the government for blocking rallies over the past year and a half, warning that the situation in Punjab could turn into a "police state" if these restrictions continued.

The PTI founder concluded by emphasising that his party would continue to fight for democratic principles and resist any attempts to enforce what he described as "slavery."