ISLAMABAD: Barrister Ali Zafar, a senior leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has expressed confidence in the imminent release of party chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan from jail.
Speaking in a private TV program, Zafar argued that Khan’s legal cases had effectively concluded, leaving no valid reason for his continued detention.
He asserted that the only remaining obstacle to Khan’s release was political, not legal. “If we remove the political issues, there’s no reason why Imran Khan can’t be released tomorrow,” Zafar stated.
He elaborated that while constitutional matters concerning political issues would be resolved by the constitutional court, the criminal cases against Khan— which Zafar referred to as “baseless”— would likely be overturned by the Supreme Court.
Zafar acknowledged the growing public frustration due to the delay in finalizing a protest plan, but reassured PTI supporters that the legal battle for Khan’s release should go hand in hand with street protests.
He emphasized, “A legal battle must be accompanied by street protests,” urging the public to remain hopeful and take part in protests to secure Khan’s freedom.
In response to Zafar’s remarks, PML-N’s Tariq Fazal Chaudhry stressed that legal procedures, not public protests or foreign influence, were the proper means to secure Khan’s release. He reaffirmed the importance of the courts and the rule of law, dismissing any suggestion that external factors, such as former U.S. President Donald Trump, could influence Khan’s freedom.
