Islamabad: Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former Prime Minister, has urged the international community, particularly the United States, to support democracy, human rights, regional stability, and justice in Pakistan.
In an article published under his name in Time magazine, Khan—who is currently imprisoned—congratulated U.S. President Donald Trump on his political comeback. He expressed hope that the U.S. would work towards strengthening economic partnerships with Pakistan, promoting stability, and addressing conditions that lead to conflict and extremism.
It remains unclear whether Imran Khan personally authored the article or how it reached the magazine. However, in the detailed piece, he highlighted the ongoing political turmoil in Pakistan and his continued struggle for democracy. He described the current period as one of the most challenging times in the country’s history and raised concerns about what he termed as the decline of democratic principles.
Khan asserted that his imprisonment and the charges against him were politically motivated attempts to suppress his advocacy for democracy. He emphasized that his fight was not for personal gains but for a larger democratic cause that holds significant implications not only for Pakistan but also for regional and global stability.
Given Pakistan’s strategic importance, Khan called on the international community to recognize the urgency of addressing the ongoing crisis.
In the article, he also shed light on the crackdown against PTI, the arrests of party officials and workers, and other alleged human rights violations. He accused the government of diverting crucial resources away from counterterrorism efforts to target political opponents.
Khan particularly pointed to increased terrorist activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, arguing that military campaigns against political adversaries had taken priority over genuine security concerns. Additionally, he alleged that the judiciary was being used as a tool for political oppression.
Despite the challenges, Khan reaffirmed his vision for Pakistan—one based on justice, equal opportunities, and democratic values. He expressed confidence that the Pakistani people would unite in their determination to overcome these obstacles.
Meanwhile, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, commented on the evolving political landscape in Pakistan. Speaking on a television talk show, he stated that predicting PTI’s next move was impossible.
The senior leader of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) pointed out the contradictions in PTI’s approach, noting that while the party advocates for political alliances, it simultaneously calls for civil disobedience and publishes "explosive" articles in international media.
Regarding negotiations with PTI, Senator Siddiqui said that the party’s decision-making process is directly dictated by Imran Khan. He added that PTI leaders remain uncertain about their strategy until they receive instructions from their leader.
Recalling an instance from past negotiations, Siddiqui mentioned that PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali met with Imran Khan and, despite having three to four days left before a decision deadline, abruptly ended further talks on Khan’s orders.
