Imran wants remittances withheld from today: Aleema

ISLAMABAD: Aleema Khan, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, announced on Saturday that her brother has instructed the implementation of a call to withhold remittances starting Sunday, as the government has shown no intention of accepting his two demands.

Speaking to the media outside the Adiala jail, Rawalpindi, she said Imran Khan had conveyed a clear message that the government’s intentions are evident from its actions, as there has been no indication of initiating negotiations.

She quoted Imran as saying that more cases were being filed against those arrested during the November 26 protests, prompting the decision to begin the civil disobedience campaign by halting the remittances.

However, Aleema said that Imran had also said the call could be withdrawn if the government initiates dialogue. She reiterated that the PTI founder’s demands are straightforward i.e. the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 and November 26 events and release of all political prisoners. She further quoted Imran as saying that following the 26th Amendment, judges delivering decisions based on the law and Constitution were being sidelined, while others were being promoted.

“We stand with justice, and our movement is for justice. It is everyone’s responsibility to engage in Jihad for this cause,” she quoted the PTI founder as saying.

Regarding the Al-Qadir Trust case, Aleema said Imran was certain he would be sentenced by Monday. She explained that after a sentence is passed, relief is typically sought from the high court, but such proceedings take time.

As a result, the PTI founder is expected to remain in jail for the next three to four months.

Imran Khan had earlier announced a brief postponement of the civil disobedience campaign to allow time for talks with the government. However, he warned that if his demands remained unmet, the call for civil disobedience would resume.