Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has directed his party to observe December 15 as "Martyrs Day" to honour the sacrifices of party workers who lost their lives during the May 9 and November 26 protests.
The jailed PTI founder also called for a judicial inquiry into the May 9 and November 26 incidents, claiming that PTI workers were killed by law enforcement agencies.
Following a meeting with her brother in jail on Tuesday, Aleema Khanum, Imran's sister, addressed the media, revealing that Imran initially demanded an inquiry into the events of May 9 but he has now included November 26 in his call for investigations. She said the PTI founder proposed forming a joint investigation commission comprising the three most senior judges of the Supreme Court to conduct an impartial probe into the deaths of party workers during peaceful demonstrations.
Imran has directed the party to observe Martyrs Day on December 15, with workers across Pakistan, including in Peshawar, expected to offer prayers for the deceased. Aleema quoted her brother as saying, "A system of disbelief can survive, but one based on oppression cannot. We will not accept such a system."
Imran expressed grave concern over the deaths of his party workers during peaceful protests in Islamabad. He claimed that 16 PTI supporters were killed on May 9, and many others lost their lives during the November 26 demonstration. Khan also alleged that authorities were attempting to conceal the casualties and injuries sustained by PTI workers.
The former premier has emphasized the need for access to CCTV footage to ensure a fair and transparent investigation, rejecting any witness accounts provided by police officials as unreliable. He also demanded the dismissal of "fabricated FIRs" filed against PTI workers and leaders, many of whom are being held in illegal detention. Aleema shared that her brother was deeply concerned by the plight of missing PTI workers, particularly those who had participated in the November 24 protest in Islamabad. She disclosed that Imran Khan remained unaware of the situation in the federal capital due to his solitary confinement, with authorities restricting his access to newspapers and television.
Imran has urged overseas Pakistanis to take a stand if the government fails to meet his demands. He called on them to halt remittances to Pakistan, arguing that while their families might endure short-term hardships, the sacrifice was necessary for achieving the country's independence. "They are harassing your families and threatening to block your passports or arrest you upon your return," Aleema quoted him as saying.
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