Islamabad, Dec 22 (V7N) - Former Pakistani Prime Minister and founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, has called for a nationwide mass movement following a court verdict that sentenced him and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to 17 years in prison. The verdict was delivered on Saturday by a special court of Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), triggering strong political reactions across the country.
According to Pakistani daily Dawn, Imran Khan has announced that the verdict will be challenged before the Islamabad High Court. He described the ruling as unjust and politically motivated, urging the public to protest peacefully and stand up for their democratic rights.
As Imran Khan remains incarcerated, he does not have direct access to social media platforms. However, his legal counsel shared details of his message through a post on X. In the message, Khan said he had instructed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to prepare for street protests and mobilize supporters across the province.
“I have sent a message to Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to prepare for a movement on the streets. The entire nation must rise to reclaim its rights,” Khan was quoted as saying in the post.
The sentencing of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi has intensified political tensions in Pakistan, where PTI supporters view the case as part of a broader crackdown on opposition leaders. The party is expected to organize demonstrations in several cities in the coming days, while security agencies remain on alert.
Political analysts say the verdict and the call for nationwide protests could further polarize the country’s political landscape at a time when Pakistan is already facing economic challenges and political uncertainty. All eyes are now on the Islamabad High Court, where Khan’s legal team is expected to formally challenge the conviction in the coming days.
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