'Imran yet to play trump card'

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan was keeping a "trump card" up his sleeve despite the abrupt end to the party's "final call" protest in Islamabad, Aleema Khan said on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail, where the former premier has been imprisoned for over a year, she said, "Imran told me he would not reveal his trump card right now".

She added that her brother plans to escalate the issue of the "D-Chowk tragedy" by presenting it to the Supreme Court and international forums.

Aleema questioned the use of live fire during the protests. "There is no justification for the bullet that was fired," she said.

She revealed that she had tried to stop people but failed, adding, "Bushra Bibi led the efforts, but the rest of the leadership should have stepped forward too." "The PTI founder remains in shock over the incident."

Imran also instructed his team to ensure the first FIR was lodged against Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Aleema also lamented the family's struggles to meet the incarcerated party supremo. "We waited outside for six hours yesterday but were not allowed to meet him. Today, our vehicle was stopped before the jail gates, but we followed the judge's protocol to gain entry."

Addressing rumours, she said, "Some said he was being poisoned, others claimed his mental health was deteriorating. But when we met him, he assured us his health was fine, despite being kept in isolation for 50 hours and denied access to newspapers and television."

She also shared the PTI founder's reaction to being informed about the Islamabad tragedy.

"He was deeply shocked. We told him about the 12 confirmed fatalities, while many remain missing or detained. Families are desperately searching for their loved ones, and there are unclaimed bodies yet to be found. He instructed us to investigate hospitals, but those who go are reportedly detained."

Aleema went on to recount the harrowing events, alleging targeted violence. "People exercising their constitutional rights were called in, only to be shot by snipers during the day and assaulted by brigades at night. This is no less than the Lal Masjid or Operation Balochistan scenarios," she claimed, adding that such actions would only fuel public anger.