Now, as Pakistanis have taken to the streets to protest my father’s release, Asim Munir’s regime imposes emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (my father’s political stronghold).
Having failed to secure Balochistan or Azad Kashmir, Munir once again invokes terrorism to justify another military operation in Pashtun lands. Yet again sacrificing lives in an attempt to cling on to power.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s democratic mandate must be restored. My father, our detained family members, PTI representatives and all political prisoners must be released immediately. The people’s right to peaceful protest must be respected.
Pakistan belongs to its people, not its military.
Tomorrow marks 19 days since my mother, Aleema Khan @Aleema_KhanPK, was abducted after leaving her home, and 18 days since my aunts, Dr Uzma Khan @DrUzma_KhanPK and Noreen Niazi @Noreen_KhanPK were abducted from theirs. They have been arbitrarily detained under the colonial-era 3 MPO law.
As if detaining three sisters for standing by their brother, Imran Khan @ImranKhanPTI , were not enough, the authorities detained their cousin Qasim Zaman, under the very same law.
We have once again approached the Lahore High Court, challenging the illegal detention of my mother and aunts, while renewing our request for court orders granting them access to their families and legal counsel.
The matter is scheduled for hearing on Friday, 9th October.
Currently, my Aunties are still abducted. Family and lawyers have received no update on how they are, nor why they are incarcerated. Concerning my father, there is complete silence.
My brother and I have had no contact with him for more than six months. We do not even know the true state of his health.
Meanwhile, thousands of Pakistanis are peacefully taking to the streets to protest against his illegal and politically motivated imprisonment.
However, the people of Pakistan have not given up. No barricade, intimidation or repression can muzzle the people’s demand for justice and their democratic right to be heard.
There can be no lasting peace or stability while their democratic will is suppressed and their chosen leader remains behind bars.
They thought Sohail Afridi is young and immature and will be easy to manage. Instead he has shown his mettle through his commitment, courage and above all loyalty towards Imran Khan.
Sohail Afridi has established himself as a true leader in Pakistani politics.
Best wishes for the challenge ahead.
My mother, Aleema Khan @Aleema_KhanPK and my aunts, Dr Uzma Khan @DrUzma_KhanPK and Noreen Niazi @Noreen_KhanPK , remain behind bars.
Their only crime is refusing to abandon their brother, Imran Khan @ImranKhanPTI throughout his imprisonment — a detention the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found to be arbitrary and in violation of international law, and called for his immediate release.
For three years, they have stood outside prisons and courtrooms, enduring everything from scorching heat exceeding 45°C to near-freezing conditions, demanding justice and the rule of law.
They have endured tear gas, chemical-laced water cannons, repeated arrests and relentless intimidation. Yet no amount of pressure could silence them or force them to step aside. They stood their ground. They refused to abandon their brother.
Since their latest imprisonment, they have been denied access to their family and legal counsel. They spent three years demanding justice for their brother. Now, like him, they find themselves denied the very rights they are fighting for.
Standing by their brother is not a crime.
Raising their voice for him is not a crime.
Demanding justice and the rule of law is not a crime.
Their detention must end.
Foolish people often assume everyone else is foolish too. Someone tell them that the public has learned a lot over the past 5 yrs & no longer falls for the cheap tricks.
Whenever Imran Khan calls for a long march, their propaganda machine kicks into gear.
@cricinfo Pretty obvious, given the consistent regression of Pakistan cricket in the last 3 or so years, or the constant circus that's the PCB management of Pak cricket, it will be quite a failure if England don't win this series!
@MazherArshad Lol someone who doesn't even merit a place in the Test side is to be the captain! Nothing new though re the unending circus, that is our cricket's management (read PCB) since the last 3 or so years 😀