Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister and current Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), addressed his supporters on Saturday after receiving a blanket relief from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) a day earlier. He spoke from his residence at Lahore’s Zaman Park, where he was expected to deliver an official response to his “unlawful arrest” and recent events.
Imran Khan was arrested on May 9 from inside the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), leading to protests by PTI activists and supporters in several cities across the country. The demonstrations resulted in clashes with law enforcement agencies.
After Khan’s arrest, PTI supporters vandalized the historic Corps’ Commander’s House, causing damage to the building that once served as the residence of the founding father of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. An FIR was later registered against leaders and activists of the PTI for the attack.
During an informal conversation with media representatives during his appearance at the Islamabad High Court (IHC), Imran Khan warned that there would be no-one to control the masses if he was put behind bars again. He also expressed concerns about the situation between the army and the people, saying, “Who will control the people if I am arrested? I can control the people if I am out [in their midst].”
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Khan’s address on Saturday comes after the Islamabad High Court granted him a blanket relief that prevents the police from arresting him in any other case without permission from the court. The court’s decision came after Khan’s legal team argued that his arrest was illegal and in violation of his fundamental rights.
The former Prime Minister’s address is expected to cover a range of issues, including his views on his recent arrest, the ongoing corruption cases against him, and his plans for the future.
