Imran Khan to contest election from Mianwali soon, says Faisal Javed

PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan, who reappeared a few days ago after remaining in hiding following May 9 incidents of violence, said on Saturday that soon former prime minister and ex-PTI chairman Imran Khan would contest an election from his hometown Mianwali, and would go on to become the prime minister again, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Speaking to the media at sessions court in Islamabad, he prayed to the Almighty Allah that all those innocent PTI workers who were languishing in jails were set free and returned to their homes. “Insha Allah, all innocent people, including ex-PTI chairman and his wife Bushra Bibi, will soon be released from jails,” he hoped.

Javed said he was sure that soon Imran Khan would come out of the jail and would be declared eligible for holding a public office. “Our lawyers have filed appeals in the courts. All cases against the former prime minister are bogus,” he added.  

Responding to a question about his meeting with another PTI stalwart Murad Saeed in recent days, he said he had no such meeting with him, and all his pictures doing rounds on social media were fake. “May the Almighty Allah protect him.”

Replying to a question whether his reappearance had anything to do with a ‘deal’ with the country’s establishment, the senator said that Imran’s stance on May 9 violence was clear. “PTI has been demanding a judicial inquiry into these incidents,” he said, adding, “If in the light of that inquiry anyone is found guilty, he or she should be punished for that.”

He deplored that ever since that ill-fated day, the law-enforcement agencies had been picking up PTI workers wherever they spotted them. “During this period, all PTI leaders and workers remained extremely careful. There should be a rule of law in the country,” he said adding, “If people are sure they will get justice, they always surrender to the authorities.”  

“Unfortunately, the party was not allowed to run its election campaign freely. The general elections held on February 8 were unprecedented in the entire history of the country,” he deplored.

Javed was of the view that the country’s economic progress was linked to the provision of justice. “In the holy Quran, the Almighty Allah has ordered believers to enforce a system of justice.”

Calling the elections ‘Form 45 versus Form 47, the senator said that all that PTI wanted was that the exact number of votes its candidates had received should be counted. “All parties’ candidates, including those of PTI, have with them Form 45,” he said, adding, “The PTI has won 180 seats in the National Assembly.”     

For God’s sake, the PTI leader went on to say, allegations of rigging should be probed and the party to which the people had given their mandate should be allowed to form the government. “Because, the government enjoying the support of masses will succeed in delivering,” the senator argued.

Court issues notice on acquittal plea of Faisal Javed

Earlier, the court issued notices to the prosecution on the acquittal petitions filed by Senator Faisal Javed and Ali Nawaz Awan in the cases registered against them in connection with the Azadi March.   

The court later adjourned the cases’ hearing until March 12.

Reporter: Hashir Ahsan