Imran Khan’s Bold Message: A Conversation from Adiyala Jail
“Imran Khan’s Bold Message” was evident during his conversation at Adiyala Jail on December 26, 2024. He firmly stated, “Release all political prisoners. If you want to keep me in prison, then do so. I will not go under house arrest. I will only accept release through complete freedom.”
Imran Khan revealed that he had received a message offering a deal: his party would be given “political space” if he agreed to house arrest and moved to Bani Gala. He responded resolutely, “Release all political prisoners first. I am willing to stay in prison, but I will not accept any deal. I will neither go under house arrest nor to any jail in KP. To my nation, I say this: Do not lose hope. Your captain stands firm.”
Vision for Pakistan’s Future
“Imran Khan’s Bold Message” emphasized that “2025 is the year of true freedom, InshaAllah.” Reflecting on the past year, he acknowledged, “2024 was a challenging year for Pakistan, but freedom is always hard-earned. It’s not for free.”
He outlined three essential elements for Pakistan’s progress:
1. “Rule of Law” where courts deliver justice.
2. “Political Stability” where mandates are not stolen.
3. “Establishment of Peace” Khan stressed that Pakistan’s institutions should focus on borders instead of political engineering. He stated, “The job of intelligence agencies is to safeguard the borders. If they remain occupied with political engineering, who will protect the borders? These agencies should focus on being at the borders.”
Critique of Military Trials
“Imran Khan’s Bold Message” criticized the military trials related to May 9, stating that they were conducted as per their wishes. He argued that if the trials had been held in open courts, they would have been required to provide the video footage of May 9. He added, “The footage of the attack on me at the Judicial Complex in Islamabad on March 18, 2023, was deliberately made to disappear. A fair trial is a fundamental constitutional right of citizens. Conducting trials in military courts has violated citizens’ basic rights and has caused severe embarrassment for Pakistan on an international level.”
Economic and Political Insights
“Imran Khan’s Bold Message” highlighted the importance of upholding the rule of law for economic stability. He stated, “If the rule of law had been upheld, investment would have flowed into the country, and the economy would have stabilized. However, no attention was given to this. Investors are withdrawing their capital, and factories are shutting down.”
Regarding relations with Afghanistan, Khan remarked, “Afghanistan has been bombed twice. It was initially claimed that forcibly repatriating refugees would reduce terrorism, but this approach has only fueled more hatred, which is detrimental to regional peace and stability. Bilawal as Foreign Minister did not visit Afghanistan even once, despite it being a priority.”
Criticism of Military Leadership
“Imran Khan’s Bold Message” included criticism of General Bajwa’s decisions. Khan stated, “I had advised General Bajwa that after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the situation was not conducive to immediately replacing the ISI chief. However, all decisions were being made to serve his extension plans rather than Pakistan’s interests, which ultimately harmed the country and led to a rise in terrorism.”
He expressed regret over the situation in Afghanistan, saying, “Peace in Afghanistan had brought stability to Pakistan after a long time. If there is unrest at the border, it will disrupt Pakistan’s peace. What happened in Afghanistan is deeply regrettable.”
Message to Overseas Pakistanis
“Imran Khan’s Bold Message” addressed the importance of remittances for Pakistan’s economy. He stated, “Remittances are a major support for Pakistan’s economy, yet the families of overseas Pakistanis here are being threatened. Their money belongs to them, and it is their choice whether they want to send it or not.”
He urged overseas Pakistanis to join the remittance boycott campaign, saying, “I urge my overseas Pakistanis to join the remittance boycott campaign. Currently, the government is just playing the game of forming committees regarding our demands. However, if negotiations yield positive results, the remittance boycott campaign will be halted. This is a form of protest for true freedom and the restoration of democracy.”
