The former prime minister of Pakistan writes from prison that his party is being unfairly muzzled, in a guest essay for The Economist https://t.co/Hho0bLGRDu
Chairman Imran Khan's message to the people of Pakistan shared through his family on the 10th of October:
“When I was illegally incarcerated in Attock Jail, the first few days were particularly challenging. I wasn’t provided a bed and had to sleep on the floor and had insects and mosquitoes all over me. But with time I have adjusted well to the prison conditions.
𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟓. 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫; 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞.
During my time in prison, I have had the opportunity to study and research the Holy Quran in depth, along with other books which has strengthened my faith. I was also able to introspect the last few years of my political life.
Regardless of what prison they keep me in, whatever conditions they impose upon me, I will not back down even an inch from the quest of Haqeeqi Azadi, for the upholding of the rule of law and the Constitution of Pakistan, at the core of which is free and fair elections. To those suggesting that I leave the country, know that I will live and die with Pakistan, and I will not leave my land to go anywhere.
As far as the Cipher case is concerned, this bogus case is designed to protect former Army Chief General Bajwa and Donald Lu. I was the elected Prime Minister of the country. Treason was committed against me and my govt by General Bajwa, instead of investigating the foreign conspiracy in orchestrating a regime change, a case has been filed against me for informing the people of Pakistan, the real protectors of this country, about this treason.
If there’s one thing that bothers & pains me, is the suffering of my workers who have been illegally imprisoned, especially our women workers who have been in captivity for months, by a few people who abuse their power to satisfy their egos. I appeal to the judiciary to provide justice and order the immediate release of our workers.
Finally, Do not give up. This time of trial will end because Allah says that "with every difficulty there is ease". Keep raising your voice against this unelected predatory group and their facilitators at every forum and keep demanding a fair and transparent election in the country.
I am predicting that on whatever day the election is held, people of Pakistan will come out in huge numbers to vote for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and defeat all these parties combined. No matter how much these people cheat, their only destiny is defeat.
Pakistan Zindabad.”
As God is my witness, I did not sign Official Secrets Amendment Bill 2023 & Pakistan Army Amendment Bill 2023 as I disagreed with these laws. I asked my staff to return the bills unsigned within stipulated time to make them ineffective. I confirmed from them many times that whether they have been returned & was assured that they were. However I have found out today that my staff undermined my will and command. As Allah knows all, He will forgive IA. But I ask forgiveness from those who will be effected.
Dear Prof. Dave Petley, VC Univ. of Hull, Dr. Caroline & respected faculty at University of Hull, Uk. I am compelled to draw your attention to a development that if ignored risks undermining Hull’s good name & standing in the academic world.
A junior Judge, by the name, Humayun Dilawar, from Pakistan, has been added, in the last minute, to a legal training program/seminar relating to Human Rights & principles of law, starting at Hull, this week. Apparently his name is a last minute replacement as reward for a bizarre court decision he was to deliver on Aug 5, in Islamabad. It’s widely believed that decision (in gross violation of principles of law & justice) against former PM, Imran Khan of imprisonment & disqualification from elections, has been forced by Pakistani military to stop Mr. Khan from participating in forthcoming elections. Universities & law departments are notorious for ascertaining facts & meticulous research; you don’t need to take my words or messages of hundreds of Pakistanis who are writing to you. You just need to appoint a researcher to quickly scan Pakistani English press like Dawn & Tribune, and Pakistani Twitter handles of prominent legal personalities. Check the statement of Pakistan Supreme Court Bar Association that clearly concludes that Judge Dilawar’s decision is only to prevent Imran Khan from fighting elections. But is this about a politician? Unfortunately not, as your research team will find out it’s military managed strategy to deny free fair and transparent elections to 240 million people of Pakistan.
I may add, thousands of political workers, activists and leaders are in jail in Pakistan, one of the most prominent TV Anchor & Journalist Arshad Sharif was assassinated in Kenya & another prominent journalist Imran Riaz is now missing for almost three months despite High Courts demanding his appearance. Your researchers will find much more troubling details about what is happening in Pakistan.
Under the circumstances, Univ of Hull allowing this Judge Humayun Dilawar, to attend a program on Human Rights will undermine the very concepts of Law, Justice & Human Rights & will encourage fascism in Pakistan & send a wrong signal to the whole world.
I will strongly urge the University of Hull faculty & students to investigate the issues highlighted above & by other Pakistanis who are writing to you & then judge if this controversial man can be allowed to participate in the program! Sincerely: Dr. Moeed Pirzada, TV Anchor, Journalist & Editor in forced Exile, Washington DC @UniOfHull@VC_Hull@Cargib1@HullCity@HulllawsocIt
Hoping everyone had a restful Eid break, and we continue to hope the park at Executive Towers can be saved 🙏 😀 🌳🌴
Did you know? Green spaces in cities reduce air pollution, dampen noise & help cooling down in summer.
😔 So many wonderful memories in this park. My kids grew up playing in this park. We moved into this community because of the park. What is happening? @DubaiProperties
@attorneyjeremy Hi Jeremy , Could you PLEASE review the latest motion to dismiss filed on 12th April on Behalf of Brad . i want to know your thoughts on it . why they did it in fact ? this could be denied in my opinion unless the arguments are strong