Shoaib Shaheen, Imran Khan’s lawyer and a senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader, accused the government of using Toshakhan’s case as a tool for political revenge. Shaheen made the remarks outside the Adiala Jail where Imran Khan is currently lodged.
“This case of Toshakhan is nothing but an act of revenge,” Shaheen said, pointing to the contrast in the treatment of other political figures. “Nawaz Sharif bought a bulletproof car for six million rupees but neither FIA nor NAB took any action. The courts are not hearing cases against Asif Zardari or Nawaz Sharif, but Imran Khan’s cases are being fast-tracked,” he added.
Shaheen also claimed that the allegations against Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case are baseless. “There was no financial loss and Pakistan got £190 million, but they still made Imran Khan a criminal,” he said.
Shaheen further criticized the inaction against other influential figures and cited the example of Hassan Nawaz who allegedly sold assets worth 9 billion rupees for 18 billion without facing any charges or investigation.
Regarding recent judicial developments, Shaheen noted that “Judge Ijaz Asif of Rawalpindi has made the OSD, while the judges who pass judgments against Imran Khan are rewarded.”
Shaheen also spoke about the events of November 26, referring to the protests and alleged state violence. “There was a massacre, but the state is silent. Sniper shots were fired, yet no one was held accountable.
We demand the release of those arrested and the formation of a judicial commission,” he said.
Shaheen warned that if the government did not take any action by Sunday, overseas Pakistanis would stop sending remittances and continue to call for civil disobedience. “If our demands are met, we will call off the protest, but if not, overseas Pakistanis will stop sending money.”
Aleema Khan, another PTI leader and Imran Khan’s sister, also spoke to the press and said that the Al-Qadir Trust case is likely to be challenged in the Supreme Court, which could take up to six months. “Imran Khan is likely to remain in jail for another three to four months,” she added.
She also claimed that those arrested during the November 26 protests were facing additional charges and the government had no intention of releasing them. “The government has no intention of releasing people, despite two clear demands from Imran Khan,” she said, reiterating the call for a judicial commission into the events of May 9 and November 26.
