Khan names himself PTI patron-in-chief, picks Omar Ayub to spearhead protests

Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister Imran Khan has declared himself the “patron-in-chief” of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), reaffirming his authority over the country’s largest opposition party despite being behind bars.

The announcement was made by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan during a media briefing outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail on Tuesday. Gohar said Khan will continue making all major decisions for the party but will now be referred to as Patron-in-Chief rather than founding chairman.

As part of the party’s new protest strategy, Khan has appointed opposition leader Omar Ayub to spearhead nationwide demonstrations, replacing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

“Chairman Khan has instructed Gandapur to focus on governance in KP,” Gohar said. “This time, instead of a single march towards Islamabad, protests will be staged across the country.”

He added that Khan will lead the movement from prison and directly issue instructions to Ayub. However, no dates or specific plans for the protests have been announced yet.

Quoting Khan, Gohar said: “We are left with no other option but to protest. We’re being pushed against the wall.”

Toshakhana hearing and Aleema Khan's press talk

Earlier in the day, Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi appeared for a hearing in the Toshakhana 2 case held inside Adiala Jail, where two more prosecution witnesses recorded statements, bringing the total to eight. The court adjourned the proceedings until June 11.

Meanwhile, Khan’s sister Aleema Khan told reporters she was denied a meeting with her brother, though his other sisters, Naureen Khanum and Dr. Uzma Khan, were allowed to see him.

Aleema relayed that Khan believes all avenues have been closed for PTI and claimed the by-elections in Sambrial were rigged. She further said Khan connected the May 9 riots, the 26th Constitutional Amendment, and the 2024 general elections to what he described as a “London Plan.”

Aleema also revealed that Khan said emissaries from the establishment often reach out when under pressure. “Whenever the establishment is under stress, they send people to negotiate,” Khan was quoted as saying.

One such emissary, according to Aleema, was Tanveer Ahmed, a UK-based Pakistani and longtime PTI donor. She said Ahmed was sent to persuade Khan to apologize for the May 9 violence.

Dr. Uzma Khan confirmed the interaction: “Imran Khan met Tanveer Ahmed once. He refused to meet him the second time.”

Last week, PTI officially announced its decision to launch a nationwide protest campaign, led by Khan from prison. Senior party leader Barrister Ali Zafar conveyed Khan’s instructions to the media after meeting him at Adiala Jail.

Zafar said Khan has tasked him with formulating a detailed protest roadmap, which will be presented in their next meeting for further review and approval.