By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has rejected an offer to leave the country in exchange for his release from prison, choosing instead to remain incarcerated to pursue what he describes as a fight for the rule of law and the constitution, his sister Aleema Khan said in a statement released by Khan’s political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), on social media.
Khan, a former cricket star who led Pakistan from 2018 to 2022, has been in prison since 2023, facing a litany of charges including corruption, land fraud, and the disclosure of official secrets. He is also being tried separately for allegedly inciting violent protests on May 9, 2023, when supporters of PTI attacked military and government installations, including the army headquarters in Rawalpindi and Jinnah House in Lahore. Khan and his party deny the allegations, insisting the cases are politically motivated to dismantle PTI, one of Pakistan’s most prominent opposition parties.
In her statement, Aleema Khan said her brother was offered the chance to leave Pakistan on August 4 but refused, telling authorities, “I am in jail for a purpose.” She contrasted Khan’s resolve with that of another former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, claiming, “Nawaz Sharif had started crying after remaining in jail for four days.”
Aleema Khan emphasized that her brother’s commitment to a larger cause sustains him in prison. “If you have a bigger goal, then it is easy for you to serve jail sentence, but it can be hard if it is for robbery or larceny,” she said, alluding to the corruption charges Khan faces.
The former prime minister’s detention has drawn international attention. Last year, a United Nations working group, as reported by Reuters, concluded that Khan’s detention violated international law, bolstering his supporters’ claims that the charges against him are fabricated to sideline a popular political figure. Khan’s legal battles and imprisonment have become a rallying point for PTI, which continues to mobilize supporters despite crackdowns.
Aleema Khan dismissed speculation about a potential deal to secure her brother’s release, saying that despite repeated offers to free him if he left Pakistan, Khan has remained steadfast. “Tons of times they have offered him to release him from the jail, given that he leaves the country,” she said. “He replied he was not there for his personal sake, rather it was for the country, for a purpose, rule of law and constitution.”
She questioned the logic of enduring years in prison only to accept a deal that could have been made early on. “Should someone stay in prison for two years to make a deal, that he could make on the very first day?” she asked, noting that the most recent offer came on August 4.
Despite the constraints of incarceration, Khan remains actively involved in PTI’s operations, according to his sister. “In as short as 20 minutes meeting, Imran gives orders for his party,” she said, underscoring his alertness and determination to lead from behind bars.
Aleema Khan also addressed the recent release of her elder son, Shahrez Khan, from jail, noting that authorities had indicated both of her sons might be freed, but only Shahrez was released. She defended the innocence of both Shahrez, a businessman and athlete, and her younger son, Shershah Khan, who she said was abroad during the May 9 protests. The government has accused PTI leaders, including Khan’s family members, of involvement in the unrest, allegations the family rejects.
The Khan family’s defiance remains unshaken. “I, my children, my sisters, their children, the whole family — all are ready to be arrested and imprisoned, but we will not bow down,” Aleema Khan said. She expressed pride in her brother’s resolve, adding, “We are proud of him and we stand behind him.”
Khan’s refusal to leave Pakistan indicates a lingering political standoff in the country, where tensions between the establishment and PTI have escalated since his ouster in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in 2022. The May 9 protests, sparked by Khan’s brief arrest, marked a turning point, with the government and military accusing PTI of orchestrating attacks on state institutions. The military, an all-powerful force in Pakistani politics, has taken a hard line against Khan and his supporters, further polarising the political landscape.
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