After meeting incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan in jail, two of his lawyers revealed that he was willing to engage in discussions, but exclusively on the topic of elections. Barrister Gohar Khan, one of Imran’s lawyers, took to social media and wrote, “Finally met Khan sahib at Attock jail with other colleagues. Thank God, he is in great spirit but is concerned about the ongoing uncertainty, inflation, and terrorism. He is willing to talk to all BUT about the election.” Similarly, lawyer Nadeem Haider Panjutha shared, “Khan sahib dismissed all fake news about him seeking pardon, worrying and wanting to leave the country. He said ‘I will live and die in Pakistan’. He also said we are willing to talk to all but just on elections.”
The PTI has been demanding early elections ever since Imran Khan’s prime ministerial tenure was cut short due to a no-confidence motion in April of last year. Following his removal from office, the former premier launched a vigorous campaign titled ‘Haqeeqi Azadi’ (Real Freedom), advocating for elections while blaming the incumbent government and military leadership for his ousting. Imran extended multiple invitations to the then-Pakistan Democratic Movement-led government for talks on elections, but negotiations that commenced in April with the ruling coalition at the time were unsuccessful.
During a recent interaction with officials from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), PTI leaders emphasized the importance of holding elections within the constitutionally mandated period of 90 days, which would be by November 9th, after the dissolution of the National Assembly on August 9th, as mandated under Article 224 of the Constitution. However, the ECP has rejected the possibility of elections this year, citing the need for the formal publication of results from the new digital 2023 census and Section 17(2) of the Elections Act, which states, “The commission shall delimit constituencies after every census is officially published.” The PTI argues that delimitation is unnecessary at this time.
Meanwhile, Imran Khan remains in Attock jail and faces several charges. In August, an Islamabad trial court sentenced him to three years in prison and imposed a fine of Rs100,000 for concealing details of gifts received from Toshakhana (the national treasure house). The court found him guilty of “corrupt practices by intentionally and willfully hiding the benefits he gained from the national exchequer.” Subsequently, Punjab police arrested Imran from his residence in Lahore’s Zaman Park and transferred him to Attock jail. However, the Islamabad High Court suspended his sentence earlier this week.
While Imran has been cleared of the charges in the Toshakhana case, he remains detained in the cipher case. This case pertains to a missing diplomatic document allegedly belonging to Imran, which purportedly contained a threat from the United States to remove him from power. Proceedings against PTI Vice Chairman and former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi for the same case are currently ongoing.