PESHAWAR (Dunya News) – The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has formally announced the creation of an “Imran Khan Release Force” as part of its renewed efforts to secure the release of its incarcerated founder.
The announcement was made outside the Supreme Court by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who said he had been entrusted with leading a street movement by the party’s founding chairman.
Imran Khan, 73, has been behind bars since August 2023 after being convicted in multiple cases following his removal from office through a parliamentary vote in 2022. He has consistently described the cases against him as politically motivated.
“Imran Khan Release Force”
Addressing the media, Afridi said he had been assigned responsibility for organising preparations for a nationwide mobilisation. He alleged that court orders relating to the PTI founder were being disregarded and claimed that access to personal physicians was still being denied.
He formally announced the establishment of the “Imran Khan Release Force”, stating that it would be registered and structured with a defined chain of command. Members of the force will take an oath in Peshawar immediately after Eid ul Fitr, following which the party will unveil its next course of action.
Afridi said the command structure would be finalised by Imran Khan himself, who would decide leadership responsibilities within the force. “First we will prepare, then we will move forward,” he said, adding that the struggle would focus on the supremacy of the Constitution, democracy and an independent media. He emphasised that the movement would remain peaceful.
Responding to a question about internal party dynamics, Afridi said that those seeking his removal should remember that honour and disgrace come from God. He added that any message regarding his removal should be clarified with the PTI founder’s sisters.
The chief minister further stated that earlier responsibilities for protest and negotiations had been assigned to Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and Mahmood Khan Achakzai, while he had now been tasked with preparing the street movement. The proposed force, he said, would include members from PTI, the Insaf Student Federation and the party’s women’s wing, along with representatives from various segments of society.
After the oath-taking ceremony in Peshawar, the party plans to announce a detailed strategy for the next phase of mobilisation.
Health concerns raised
Meanwhile, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas confirmed that a medical report concerning Imran Khan’s eyesight had been submitted to the Supreme Court. According to him, the condition of the former prime minister’s eye had been alarming, and he alleged criminal negligence on the part of prison authorities, adding that legal recourse would be pursued.
He said that when a report by lawyer Salman Safdar indicated that 80 percent of Imran Khan’s vision had been affected, it caused widespread concern. He described any delay in treatment as a serious lapse. While some improvement has since been reported, he maintained that ambiguity remains and continuous monitoring is necessary.
PTI founder must be examined by his personal doctors: Sohail Afridi
Nasir Abbas called for access to be granted to Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Asim Yousaf, and urged that family members and legal representatives be kept informed about the medical situation.
He also stated that the Tehreek Tahaffuz Aain Pakistan had previously decided to stage a sit-in outside Parliament to ensure the government did not show further negligence. However, in view of the approaching month of Ramazan, the sit-in has been called off, with a revised strategy to be announced soon.
The federal government has maintained that the former prime minister is receiving appropriate medical care. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi recently said that PTI leadership and Imran Khan’s personal doctors were satisfied with the treatment being provided, while accusing his sister Aleema Khan of politicising the issue.