Aleema says Imran prefers jail over house arrest

ISLAMABAD: Aleema Khan, the sister of PTI founder and chairman Imran Khan, said on Thursday her brother has stated that while the authorities may keep him in jail, he will not accept being placed under house arrest.

Speaking to the media outside the Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, she said the party leader had called on overseas Pakistanis on December 22 to stop sending remittances to Pakistan. He argued that only Pakistanis living abroad who send remittances are being targeted and mistreated.

Aleema Khan said that Imran Khan has offered to withdraw his call for civil disobedience if the government agrees to meet his two demands.

She explained that the first demand is the formation of a commission to investigate the incidents of November 26 and May 9, while the second demand is the release of political prisoners who have been detained unlawfully.

She also quoted Imran Khan as saying that he is prepared to remain in jail but insists on having all cases against him decided on merit, reiterating his refusal to accept house arrest.

According to Aleema, her brother emphasized the critical importance of peace in Pakistan is linked to Afghanistan. He warned that any instability on the borders would directly impact Pakistan’s peace.

Imran Khan, she said, also noted that the country’s economy would continue to suffer unless there is economic stability and peace. He stressed the need for institutions to focus on their constitutional roles rather than engaging in politics, asking, “If our institutions continue to meddle in politics, who will protect our borders?”