report in The Express Tribune, Oct 13th, 2023.
ISLAMABAD: Imprisoned chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, has reaffirmed his commitment to the pursuit of ‘Haqeeqi Azadi’ (real freedom). He urges the nation not to lose hope, assuring that this trial will pass, and whenever elections are held, the only outcome for the “unelected predatory group and their enablers” will be defeat.
In his message to the “nation” from the jail, the former premier said: “Regardless of what prison they keep me in, whatever conditions they impose upon me, I will not back down even an inch from the quest of Haqeeqi Azadi, for the upholding of the rule of law and the Constitution of Pakistan, at the core of which is free and fair elections.”
In a statement released by PTI, Khan said: “Those suggesting that I leave the country, know that I will live and die in Pakistan, and I will not leave my land to go anywhere.”
Talking about the cypher case, the official statement added, Khan stated that the bogus case was designed to protect former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa and US diplomat Donald Lu.
“I was the elected prime minister of the country. Treason was committed against me and my government by General Bajwa, instead of investigating the foreign conspiracy in orchestrating a regime change, a case has been filed against me for informing the people of Pakistan, the real protectors of this country, about this treason,” he added.
“When I was illegally incarcerated in Attock Jail, the first few days were particularly challenging. I wasn’t provided a bed and had to sleep on the floor and had insects and mosquitoes all over me. But with time I have adjusted well to the prison conditions.”
However, Khan said that let it be known that there’s world of difference between the Imran Khan of today and the one who was imprisoned on August 5, as today “I am stronger and fitter; spiritually, mentally and physically than ever before.”
The PTI chairman went on to say that during his time in incarceration, he has had the opportunity to study and research the Holy Quran in depth, along with other books which has strengthened his faith, besides he was able to introspect the last few years of his political life.
However, Khan revealed that if there’s one thing that bothered and pained him was the suffering of his workers who had been “illegally” imprisoned, especially the women workers who had been in captivity for months, by a few people who abused their power to satisfy their egos.
“I appeal to the judiciary to provide justice and order the immediate release of our workers,” Khan demanded.
Khan urged his supporters: “Do not give up. This time of trial will end because Allah says that ‘with every difficulty there is ease’. Keep raising your voice against this unelected predatory group and their facilitators at every forum and keep demanding a fair and transparent election in the country”.
“I am predicting that on whatever day the election is held, people of Pakistan will come out in huge numbers to vote for PTI and defeat all these parties combined. No matter how much these people cheat, their only destiny is defeat. Pakistan Zindabad,” the statement quoted him as saying.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2440858/dont-lose-hope-trials-will-pass-imran
