Imran Khan in Adiala Jail: ‘I’m Treated Worse Than Criminals, While Thieves Live in Luxury’

Islamabad: The coming days look increasingly turbulent for the Pakistan Army, already reeling under the impact of India’s high-intensity Operation Sindoor. In a bold escalation, former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan has issued a clarion call for nationwide agitation, expanding his resistance movement beyond Islamabad to every corner of Pakistan.

In a strongly worded directive to his party from Adiala Jail, where he has been imprisoned since August 2023, Khan declared, “This time, I won’t just call for Islamabad – I will call for all of Pakistan to rise.” The former premier’s comments are seen as a direct challenge to both the military establishment and the current regime.

Lashing out at internal dissent, Khan warned PTI leaders who he believes are double-dealing: “I know who among you are playing both sides. You will be exposed.”

Revisiting the May 9, 2023 riots, Khan described the post-arrest violence as a “false flag operation” orchestrated to crush PTI. “The events of May 9 are a matter of just half an hour to be solved if CCTV footage is shown. The real culprits are those who stole the CCTV footage. If they truly believe PTI was responsible, then release the footage,” he demanded.

Speaking about his conditions in jail, Khan revealed the alleged mistreatment he is facing despite his status as a former PM: “I have been confined for 22 months in a cell no better than a grinding mill. I’m denied even basic facilities provided to ordinary prisoners. Meanwhile, thieves like the Sharifs and Zardaris are lodged in VIP cells that resemble luxury suites.”

Expressing further anguish, Khan said he is barred from receiving new reading material: “For some unknown reason, I haven’t been allowed new books for the past two and a half months — only books I’ve already read are permitted.” He also lamented being cut off from his own party: “Despite court orders, even PTI members are denied access to me.”

Referring to the conviction of his wife, Bushra Bibi, Khan said, “She was sentenced just to cause me pain. What could be viler than this?”

Criticizing the judiciary, Khan accused Pakistan’s top court of surrendering to military influence: “By endorsing military trials, the Supreme Court has shown a lack of confidence in its own judicial system.”