Govt Will Try to Keep Imran Khan Behind Bars 'As Long As Possible': Sanaullah

PM Shehbaz Sharif’s Adviser Says Govt Will Use All Legal Means, Including New Cases, to Delay Release of PTI Founder

By

Web Desk June 25, 2024

PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah (left) and PTI founder Imran Khan. — APP/Reuters/File

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political and Public Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, has confirmed reports that the federal government plans to file new cases against jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to delay his release from prison.

Khan, the former prime minister ousted by a no-confidence motion in April 2022, has faced numerous charges ranging from corruption to terrorism since his removal from office. Despite securing relief in several cases, including the £190 million reference and Toshakhana, and being acquitted in the cipher case earlier this month, Khan remains in prison due to his conviction in the iddat case.

The PTI founder has been incarcerated since August last year following his sentencing in the Toshakhana case, with additional sentences imposed ahead of the February 8 elections.

“Imran Khan’s main agenda is to destabilize the country and spread chaos and anarchy, which is why the government will certainly try to keep him behind bars as long as possible,” said Sanaullah during an appearance on Geo News' program 'Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath' on Tuesday.

He made these comments while responding to questions about the government's plans to delay Khan’s release despite the courts granting him relief in multiple cases.

The district and sessions court is set to announce the reserved verdict on Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi's pleas seeking suspension of their sentence in the iddat case on June 27 (Thursday) at 3 PM.

Sanaullah noted that after his government was toppled in April 2022, Khan “boycotted” parliament and launched an agitation movement against the government. “Persistently, he has only one agenda — spread anarchy and mischief in the country, hence for the betterment of the country he [Imran Khan] should be kept behind bars.”

The adviser emphasized that the government would utilize all legal avenues, including the registration of new cases, to delay Khan’s release. However, he assured that the PTI founder would not be kept in jail "forcefully" and that all steps would be taken in accordance with the Constitution and the law.

Sanaullah acknowledged that, like the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the PTI also has a public mandate from the general elections. However, he accused Khan of violating this mandate by staging violent protests, including attacks on courts and allegedly orchestrating the May 9 riots.

Despite this, Sanaullah said, “no storm will come” if Khan manages to secure his release. He urged Khan to engage in dialogue with political rivals democratically, stating that the Nawaz-led party holds no personal grudge against him. However, he claimed that Khan does not believe in political dialogue and democracy.

Sanaullah added that even if Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the mediator nominated by the PTI-backed opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Ayeen (TTAP), steps forward, Khan would immediately seize the opportunity to hold negotiations. He stressed that dialogue is the only option to resolve political disputes.