Imran Khan orders PTI lawmakers to quit parliamentary committees in protest

Jailed former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan has directed his party’s lawmakers to resign from all parliamentary standing committees, escalating his confrontation with the government and reinforcing his stance against what he calls “an illegitimate political process.”

The announcement was made outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail by Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, after she and two of her sisters were allowed to meet him for the first time in four months. Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 on multiple charges.

First family visit in months

Aleema thanked party workers for their support during months when the family was repeatedly denied access to the PTI founder. She said Khan appeared in good health but is experiencing pressure in one eye, prompting plans to request a medical examination by doctors from PIMS Hospital.

PTI lawyers Salman Akram Raja, Barrister Gohar, and Ali Zafar also met Khan on Tuesday. During the meeting, Khan expressed concern for his wife, Bushra Bibi, held in solitary confinement, and inquired about Aleema’s children, asking whether they too had been targeted.

Sharp criticism of state institutions

Khan criticized the judiciary, alleging a lack of justice and accusing authorities of labeling political opponents as terrorists to impose harsh sentences. He claimed mainstream media is “fully controlled” and has lost credibility with the public.

The former premier condemned the military operation in Waziristan, warning it would fuel instability, and denounced the expulsion of Afghan refugees, calling it “against Islamic values” and a source of national shame.

Khan also highlighted devastation from recent floods in Buner, linking them to poor environmental policies while touting his government’s Billion Tree Project as a model for disaster prevention.

Party strategy and future plans

Khan instructed PTI to boycott upcoming by-elections, arguing that participation would legitimize what he considers a rigged process. He rejected the resignation of senior lawyer Salman Akram Raja, reaffirming Raja’s position as PTI’s Secretary General, and asked for a political committee meeting to finalize strategy.

Raja later confirmed to reporters that Khan had proposed Mehmood Khan Achakzai as a potential backup candidate for opposition leader in the National Assembly, while reiterating that Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz remain PTI’s official parliamentary leaders.

Barrister Gohar, speaking after the meeting, called for regular family and legal access to Khan, revealed plans for a major PTI rally in September to demand judicial independence and democratic restoration and confirmed that Khan’s jail facilities - including access to newspapers - have been reinstated.

Court eases jail restrictions

In a related development, a special court hearing the Toshakhana-II case against Khan and Bushra Bibi ordered jail authorities to allow full access for their lawyers and family members during in-prison proceedings. The ruling followed complaints by Khan’s legal team over repeated restrictions.

Aleema Khan described the day’s courtroom atmosphere as “positive” and reported that Bushra Bibi appeared in good health. She affirmed Khan’s position: “He will not bow down, and he will not make any deal.”