Imran Khan warns to go on hunger strike if ‘injustice’ prevails

Incarcerated former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan Friday warned that he may go on a hunger strike if he continues to face what he perceives as injustice, reported 24NewsHd TV channel.

During an informal conversation with journalists at Adiala Jail, where he appeared for a hearing in the £90 million case, Khan expressed his frustrations with the legal proceedings.

“I am consulting about going on hunger strike. If I don't get justice, then I will go on hunger strike,” Khan stated, highlighting his dissatisfaction with the judicial process.

Citing Article 25 of the Constitution, which mandates equal treatment under the law, Khan questioned the involvement of Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa in all his cases.

“How does Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa go in every bench of PTI and my cases?” Khan asked.

He noted that his lawyers had objected to Isa’s presence in each bench, suspecting a lack of impartiality.

“A five-member bench of Justice Gulzar also said that Qazi Faiz Isa cannot hear our cases. Our lawyers believe that we will not get justice, so our cases should be heard by someone else,” Khan added.

Khan further accused certain military officers of manipulating the judicial system.

“Colonels and majors sitting in jail are running the whole system,” he claimed.

He said his team was not allowed to meet him at Adiala Jail, alleging that the jail superintendent acted on orders from a colonel.

“My team waited outside Adiala Jail for three hours, and I waited for them inside. The superintendent did not let my team meet at the behest of the colonel sitting in the jail,” Khan claimed.

Participation in All Parties Conference

Despite his grievances, Imran Khan has agreed to participate in the All Parties Conference (APC) summoned by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Khan emphasized the importance of addressing national issues, particularly the government’s planned operation Azm-e-Istehkam, which he believes will exacerbate instability in the country.

“Our party will participate in the APC and listen to the government's position. We have a 2500km border with Afghanistan, and we have reservations about the operation Azm-e-Istehkam because this operation will further increase the instability in the country. This is a national issue, and we will participate in APC for the sake of the country,” Khan said.

He called for free and transparent elections as the only solution to the country’s crises.

Addressing internal party dynamics, Khan urged PTI leaders to refrain from airing their differences publicly. He acknowledged the sacrifices made by leaders such as Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz, emphasizing their crucial roles within the party.

“It should be remembered that the government of Pakistan has decided to start the operation 'Azm-e-Istehkam' in the country. All the major political parties have opposed this operation, and the government has decided to call the APC to establish a national consensus,” Khan said.

Hybrid to authoritarian

Khan criticized the current state of governance in Pakistan, describing it as authoritarian. “Earlier Pakistan was hybrid, now it has gone to authoritarian. There is a dictatorship in the country,” he lamented. He pointed out that international bodies like the Congress and the United Nations are aware of Pakistan's political situation.

Khan also addressed the economic challenges facing Pakistan, criticizing the ruling parties’ policies.

“After the budget, the politics of PML-N and PPP has ended. What has happened to them is what should not happen to the enemy,” he said.

He criticized the elite's control over the country’s resources, highlighting the increased expenses of the president's house amid widespread economic hardship.

“The elite's budget has grown in the country, people have been beaten, only the elite are controlling the country. What is the president's job to increase the expenses of the president's house? Electricity and gas bills have broken the back of the people,” Khan argued.

‘Fraud elections’

Khan called for justice and transparency in the electoral process. He accused the Election Commission of conducting fraudulent elections and demanded accountability.

“The whole country is saying that the biggest fraud election was conducted, but Chief Justice Faiz Isa is praising the Election Commission. We are being sent to the Election Commission which conducted the most fraudulent election in the country for justice,” he said.

“If this fraudulent election is investigated, Article 6 will be imposed on the Chief Election Commissioner,” Khan warned. Despite his imprisonment, Khan vowed to continue his fight for justice. “As long as I live, I will fight this war,” he declared.

Amidst these tensions, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur met with Khan at Adiala Jail.

The meeting lasted for half an hour, though Gandapur did not speak to the media afterward.

Reporter: Tayyab Saif and Irshad Qureshi