ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday urged his party and supporters to prepare for a “full-fledged nationwide protest movement,” renewing his challenge to the country’s government in a social media message from behind bars.
Khan, a former cricket star-turned-politician, was ousted from power in April 2022 through a parliamentary no-confidence vote. He later accused his political rivals and Pakistan’s military leadership of orchestrating his removal in coordination with the United States, a charge denied by all of them.
Following his ouster, Khan led a year-long anti-government campaign, holding rallies and sharply criticizing the army’s role in politics, further escalating civil-military tensions in the country. In August 2023, he was arrested and sentenced on graft charges, and has remained incarcerated since.
“I instruct my party, workers and supporters to get ready for a vigorous, countrywide movement,” Khan said in Urdu on the social media platform X. “This time, I will call for all of Pakistan to rise, not just Islamabad.”
The remarks come amid persistent speculation of backchannel talks between Khan’s camp and the military establishment, with reports suggesting he might accept a deal to secure release. However, Khan dismissed such suggestions in the same message, saying he would never bow to tyranny or accept injustice.
“I would rather spend my entire life behind bars than kneel before oppression and authoritarianism,” he said, adding the rule of law remained the central goal of his political struggle.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has repeatedly complained about a persistent government crackdown, with dozens of its leaders and workers detained. Khan said that peaceful protest was now the only option left.
“When all doors are shut on a political party, when oppression is inflicted and the judiciary is not free, peaceful protest is the only path left,” he said.
The former prime minister also addressed his party members directly in the message, warning those who defied party discipline and appeared to be aligning with rival interests.
“None of you are ‘electable’ in your own right,” he said. “You won on the basis of an ideology. I know who’s playing both sides on the wicket. Anyone who doesn’t follow party orders has no place in PTI.”
Khan added he intends to hold intra-party elections at the first available opportunity to bring grassroots workers into leadership positions.
“Party elections are essential so that committed workers can rise to the top,” he said.
While no date or timeline for the protest movement was announced, the call raises the prospect of renewed political instability in a country still reeling from economic crisis, a fragile coalition government and volatile civil-military relations.
