Imran Khan disappointed with party leadership

Incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, speaking to journalists at Adiala Jail, expressed his "disappointment" with the current party leadership over their "lack of action on the D-Chowk incident," Geo News reported on Thursday.

Correspondent Shabbir Dar reported that Khan raised serious concerns about the political environment outside the prison.

“When I read the newspapers, I got the impression that there was a friendly atmosphere outside the prison, and everyone was living happily,” said the former Prime Minister.

“I expected the D-Chowk issue to be raised vigorously in Parliament and other forums, but to my surprise, that didn’t happen,” he added, expressing shock at the party leadership’s response.

He voiced his grievance, saying, “When I am cleared of one case, a new one is initiated against me. PTI should have shown a stronger reaction to this.”

PTI conducted an unsuccessful march towards Islamabad following Khan’s “final call” on November 24, which led to multiple fatalities, including security officials and protesters.

When the protesters reached their destination at D-Chowk, no party leader was visible at the site. Meanwhile, when the government launched a crackdown, Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur reportedly left Islamabad in the early hours of November 27.

Imran Khan has since instructed his party leaders and supporters to initiate a "civil disobedience" movement starting December 14.

In a statement issued from his X account, Khan demanded the release of PTI workers and called for the formation of a five-member negotiation team.

The team aims to discuss two key demands with the government: the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the events of May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024, and the release of all under-trial PTI workers.

Khan outlined “two stages” for the proposed civil disobedience movement. In the first phase, he wrote, “We will appeal to overseas Pakistanis to limit remittances and initiate a boycott campaign. In the second phase, we will escalate further.”

This, however, is not Khan’s first call for a civil disobedience movement. In 2014, he made a similar announcement during a 126-day sit-in in Islamabad, even famously burning his electricity bill on stage as a symbolic gesture.

Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, while talking to journalists, explained the potential impact of a boycott by the Pakistani diaspora. She stated that Pakistan’s economic system “is actually sustained by the hard work of overseas Pakistanis.”