In response to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) claims about a government offer to transfer Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to his Banigala residence in Islamabad, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif emphatically denied these claims on Saturday, stating that there was no truth to the statements made by the PTI leadership.
Speaking at a public function, Asif accused the PTI of attempting to destabilize the country and criticized its leadership for spreading what he called “false narratives.” “Every party plan has flopped, and efforts are now being made to ensure political stability in the country,” Asif said, addressing the media. He also lashed out at Imran Khan for urging overseas Pakistanis to stop sending remittances, calling it an ill-conceived attempt that failed to gain traction over the past two and a half years.
Asif further emphasized that Pakistan’s economic indicators were improving, and efforts to bolster political stability were underway. In a positive development, he noted that Pakistan had resumed air traffic routes to Europe, with 19 flights scheduled for various European destinations, which had previously been suspended due to various issues. This, he said, would alleviate the difficulties faced by overseas Pakistanis who had been unable to travel due to the suspension of flights to European countries and the UK.
The PTI’s claims, which had circulated widely earlier in the week, suggested that Imran Khan had been offered a shift to his Islamabad residence as part of a potential deal. PTI lawyer Faisal Chaudhry had spoken outside Adiala Jail, saying Khan was offered to be moved to Banigala but was firm in his refusal to accept any arrangement unless all political prisoners were released.
However, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif dismissed these claims as baseless. “There is no truth in such statements,” he said, further accusing PTI of promoting a “politics of destruction” and reaffirming that their efforts to create instability had been unsuccessful.
The PTI’s internal statements surrounding the issue have been mixed. Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, recently told reporters that her brother had rejected any such deal, stating that after spending more than a year and a half in prison, he would not entertain negotiations. Additionally, PTI Senator Shibli Faraz clarified that Khan had not sought relief for himself through negotiations with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government.
The dialogue between the federal government and PTI has focused on key issues, including the release of political prisoners and the formation of a commission to investigate the events of May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024. Despite these talks, reports about a potential deal surrounding Khan’s imprisonment have sparked confusion and controversy.
PTI lawyer Faisal Chaudhry also commented on the ongoing legal challenges faced by Imran Khan, particularly a high-profile case concerning £190 million, asserting that the outcome would mirror previous verdicts against the PTI leader.
