Why Pakistani government has softened its stance towards Imran Khan, will he be released from prison? Explain

Last updated: December 24, 2024, 12:53 PM IST

The Shehbaz Sharif government held a first round of talks with Imran Khan's PTI over the release of their leader from Rawalpindi jail. Khan's release received support on social media, including from several international human rights groups, lawmakers and activists.

Richard Grenell, a close ally of US President-elect Donald Trump, British MP George Galloway and former British opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn are among those who have called for Imran Khan's release. (Reuters file photo)

About a month ago, Bushra Bibi, the wife of imprisoned former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, was at the forefront of protests in Islamabad's Democracy Square, which houses government buildings, against the release of Khan in more than a hundred cases, notably for treason and corruption. Today, the Shehbaz Sharif government signaled a shift towards the Khan Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party by initiating a dialogue.

The government formed a negotiating committee to begin formal negotiations with the PTI after it threatened to call for civil disobedience. The committee includes, among others, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Prime Minister's political aide Rana Sanaullah, Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Privatization Minister Aleem Khan, Minister of Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Senator Irfan Siddiqui.

The PTI welcomed the formation of the government committee for the negotiations, terming it a positive step. “We view the formation of the committees as a constructive step. A meaningful dialogue based on positive intentions should take place,” said PTI Chairman's lawyer Gohar Ali Khan.

What did the government and PTI discuss?

Among the issues discussed by the Pakistani government and the PTI was the release of Imran Khan and that he should not be tried by a military court. Although no further details have been released, Khan's release appears to be the main issue.

The first round of talks, held on December 23, aimed to ease tensions between the two warring political groups. The second round will take place on January 2.

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), led by Sharif and allegedly backed by the military establishment, may have agreed to Khan's demands, but there appears to be international pressure for his release.

Who is demanding the release of Imran Khan?

From Richard Grenell, close ally of US President-elect Donald Trump, to British MP George Galloway, including former British opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, all have called for the release of Imran Khan.

Grenell gained Khan's support during the November 26 government crackdown on protesters in Islamabad. Free Imran Khan!” he tweeted on X.

Grenell has served in several high-profile positions, including U.S. Ambassador to Germany, Special Presidential Envoy for Serbia and Kosovo Peace Negotiations, and Acting Director of National Intelligence during the first Trump administration in 2017 to 2021. His pro-Khan tweets have given rise to speculation about their potential implications for Pakistan's political landscape.

Calls on social media for Khan's release have attracted considerable attention. More and more global voices are being raised for the release of Imran Khan, who is arbitrarily and politically detained in false and fabricated cases. Influential voices across the world are saying: FREE IMRAN KHAN! », the PTI nickname published on X last week.

Humza Yousaf, former Scottish First Minister, speaking to the Oxford Union last week, said he was deeply troubled by Khan's continued imprisonment.

Zalmay Khalilzad, former US special representative for reconciliation in Afghanistan, on December 19 expressed support for Khan's release, saying it was time for change in Pakistan. protesters, and he is using the law, the misuse of the legal system for political purposes to keep Imran Khan in prison,” Khalilzad posted on X.

Additionally, following Khan's former wife Jemima Goldsmith's impassioned October plea for the release of the PTI founders, several prominent figures from the UK and US have raised their voices in in favor of the release, according to a report by Dawn. They included British business magnate Richard Branson, philanthropist Jeffrey Skoll and American epidemiologist Lawrence Brilliant.

At least 60 US lawmakers have asked Joe Biden to pressure Pakistan to release all political prisoners, including Imran Khan.

The working group concluded in an opinion article in July that Khan's detention constituted a violation of international law. The group stressed that Khan's arrest had no legal basis.

In September, Amnesty called on the Pakistani authorities to immediately release Imran Khan from his arbitrary pre-trial detention.

What are the cases against Imran Khan?

The 72-year-old PTI leader has been implicated in dozens of cases since his government was ousted in a no-confidence motion in 2022. He has been incarcerated in Adiala prison in Rawalpindi since last year, where he faces more than 200 cases.

Let's look at some of the accusations against him.

Corruption: Khan was first arrested in May 2023 in connection with allegations that he and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were given land worth up to 25 million as a bribe by the through a trust created in 2018, while he was still in office. His party, however, maintained that the land was donated for charitable purposes. Khan was released on bail after three days in prison, during which his supporters attacked and burned military and other public facilities, killing eight people in the violence.

Encouragement of violence: Khan is accused of inciting violence following his arrest in May last year, for which several of his supporters have already been convicted. The PTI said in July that authorities had issued new arrest warrants for him in three different cases linked to the clashes.

State secrets: Khan was accused of making public classified information sent to Islamabad by Pakistan's ambassador to Washington in 2022, while he was still in office. He was acquitted in that case in June.

Illegal marriage: Khan and his wife were accused of breaking Islamic law by failing to comply with the mandatory waiting period between Bibi's divorce from her previous husband and their marriage in 2018. They were acquitted of the charges in July .

State gifts: Khan was arrested in August 2023 for allegedly selling gifts worth over Rs 140 million that he received during his tenure as prime minister and which belonged to the state. Bibi, who was also jailed in the case, was released on bail in October. The couple has denied any wrongdoing in the matter. Khan was released on bail in the case on November 20, but remains in jail on other matters.

(with contributions from Reuters)

Why has the Pakistani government softened its stance towards Imran Khan? Will he be released from prison? Explain

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos