Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan and leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has issued a stern warning from his cell, threatening to initiate a civil disobedience movement if his key demands are not met by the government. Currently serving over 465 days in prison, Khan’s call for action comes amidst rising political tensions in the country.
Khan has called for a mass gathering of his supporters on December 13 in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province where PTI holds sway. This rally is set to be a show of strength and a direct challenge to the current administration.
His demands are twofold:
- A judicial investigation into the violent crackdown on PTI supporters during a protest march on November 25, which Khan claims resulted in the deaths of at least 12 of his party members.
- An inquiry into the events of May 9 of the previous year, where violence led to the death of eight individuals.
“If these two demands are not met, a civil disobedience movement will start from December 14, and the government will be held responsible for any consequences,” Khan declared through a statement posted on social media.
This move by Khan comes after a UN Human Rights Working Group declared his detention as a breach of international law, urging for his immediate release. The international spotlight on Khan’s situation has added layers of complexity to the internal political struggle within Pakistan, highlighting concerns over human rights and democratic processes.
As the deadline approaches, all eyes are on how the government will respond to these demands and whether Khan’s call for civil disobedience will resonate with the public or lead to further unrest.
