ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on Wednesday took to his ‘X’ account and said that certain individuals with no understanding of social media were giving “digital terrorism” labels.
“The nation is being hated by calling the entire Pakistani nation as terrorists. A few people living in the 70s who are completely ignorant of how social media works are distributing the title of digital terrorism,” he posted.
The former prime minister said that if everyone who supported his party was regarded a “digital terrorist”, then a gap would be created between the military forces and the people. He claimed that 90 percent of the population stands with the PTI.
“People inciting hatred should be mindful of their actions. The same thing happened in 1971. On March 25, when Yahya Khan conducted an operation against a large number of people in Dhaka, the results were not good for the country,” Khan said.
He warned that if the majority of the population was called terrorists, then it would have dangerous consequences for the country.
The PTI founder wrote: “Countries, governments and societies are built on the basis of ethics. In a society where morals disappear, nothing remains. Today, if people are badmouthing you, they are only talking about the supremacy of the Constitution.” He contended that demanding supremacy of the Constitution and actual freedom was not treason.
He said the “ridiculous cases being made against the party leaders and workers meant that they were working perfectly peacefully and you began using fascist tactics against them when you could not control them peacefully”.
Khan said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has been instructed to lead a rally in Islamabad. The PTI has announced countrywide protests on July 26 after Juma prayers against the government over inflation, lawlessness and alleged fake cases made against the PTI founder, his spouse and other members of the party.
Khan said he wanted the entire nation to be prepared to fully participate in the rally for achieving true freedom against the oppressive and fascist system in the country. He claimed: “A narrative was created in the media under a specific agenda that I incited the people to protest by going to GHQ, whereas the fact is that there is no example of violent protest in the history of PTI spanning almost three decades.”
Also on Wednesday, talking to reporters here at the symbolic hunger strike camp set up by the PTI, grand opposition alliance leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai said the incumbent regime came to power on the basis of money and force.
Referring to the government’s intention to seek a ban on the PTI, he insisted the era of imposing a ban on political parties had passed. The PTI’s symbolic hunger strike camp continued for the second day and several opposition leaders and members of parliament visited it and stayed there.
The veteran politician, who is chairman of Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, said Pakistan is suffering from the worst crisis in history. “Our alliance was not formed to take away the government from anyone; rather, our alliance is for supremacy of the Constitution,” he clarified.
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub claimed that in the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the faces of members appeared concerned. As the federal cabinet decided to defer the plan to approve the move for banning the PTI, the opposition leader made it clear that no one could ban his party. He was of the view that by getting the maximum number of votes in the elections, the PTI proved that it was the only party that talked about the rights of the masses.
Omar Ayub emphasised that their symbolic hunger strike would continue till the release of Imran Khan, his spouse and other political prisoners.
Majlis-e-Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM) chief Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas vowed that they would continue their struggle for the supremacy of the Constitution. He noted that there is talk of imposing Article 6 on those who enjoy the support of 96 percent of the people.
“Article 6 should be imposed on those who destroy and ruin the country. Not afraid of cowards; is it treason to talk about the rule of law?” he asked.
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Shibli Faraz contended that the Constitution is currently suspended and freedom of expression is limited while civil liberties are being restricted in Pakistan. He claimed that the PTI mandate was taken away and an incompetent group was imposed.
He said there would be peaceful protests across the country on Friday. “At this time, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and its founder can take the nation out of difficulties. Every unconstitutional issue will be vigorously contested,” he emphasised.
Talking to the media, former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser said: “We have to come out peacefully on Friday against inflation and taxes. Our first demand is the release of PTI founder, Bushra Bibi and other arrested workers.”
Meanwhile, Syed Zulfi Bukhari, Khan’s adviser on international affairs, has told The Telegraph that Imran Khan will run for chancellor of Oxford University from his prison cell in Pakistan. The former prime minister and cricket star will enter an online ballot despite serving a 10-year jail sentence.
The seat of chancellor of Oxford University is vacant following the resignation of 80-year-old Lord Patten, the former governor of Hong Kong and Tory Party chairman, who held the post for 21 years.
For the first time, the elections for the chancellor will be held online compared to the traditional process in which the graduates were required to attend the process in full academic dress. The prestigious chancellorship goes to graduates of the university, usually politicians.
Khan studied Economics and Politics at Keble College, Oxford in 1972. He made a Test debut for Pakistan in 1971 and also captained the cricket team of Oxford University. In 2005, Imran Khan became the chancellor of Bradford University. He served in the post till 2014.
“Imran Khan will contest for the chancellor of Oxford University as there is a public demand that he should contest,” Zulfi Bukhari told The Telegraph.
“We will announce it publicly once we get a go-ahead from Khan and start the signature campaign for it,” Bukhari said.
Victory for Khan appears unlikely. Former prime ministers Sir Tony Blair and Boris Johnson are also among the candidates to become the university’s chancellor
On July 13, a Pakistani court overturned the conviction and seven-year sentences of Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in a case relating to the legality of the couple’s 2018 marriage. However, officials swiftly filed new cases against him to prevent his release from prison.
On Tuesday, more than two dozen members of Parliament called for Khan’s immediate release during a hearing in the House of Lords Committee Room, discussing the erosion of democratic norms in Pakistan and the “illegal incarceration” of the former prime minister.
The hearing was jointly convened by Labour MP for Bradford West, Naz Shah, and Conservative Peer, Lord Hannan of Kingsclere.
