Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, stated that PTI founder Imran Khan’s release does not depend on the verdict of the iddat case. This comment comes just two days after Khan received relief in the cipher case.
Speaking on Geo News’ “Capital Talk,” Sanaullah addressed questions about the former prime minister’s potential release from other cases following the Islamabad High Court’s decision in the cipher case. He emphasized that Khan’s release is not contingent on the iddat case outcome, though he noted that Pakistani law allows for the benefit of the doubt to be given to the accused.
Sanaullah mentioned that doubts can be raised in seemingly straightforward matters, as seen in the cipher case, and similar doubts might arise in the iddat case. He argued that while the iddat case is labeled as a personal matter, public figures like Khan have no private affairs. He also pointed out that Khan is implicated in cases where confessions have been made.
Regarding future legal actions, Sanaullah confirmed that new cases would be filed against Khan. He hinted at a potential case linked to a controversial post by Khan on social media, which the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) anti-cybercrime team has started investigating. The post encouraged Pakistanis to read the Hamood ur Rahman Commission Report to discern the true traitor between General Yahya Khan and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Sanaullah asserted that PTI has pushed the country to a critical point, leaving only two paths: democratic dialogue or confrontation. He stressed that while democratic parties have always been open to talks, PTI has not responded to these overtures.
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Cases and Legal Developments
Imran Khan has been detained in Adiala Jail since August 2023, with several PTI members facing allegations related to violence following his arrest on May 9. Khan, who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022 before being ousted via a no-confidence motion, received relief in the cipher case when the Islamabad High Court overturned his sentence and ordered his release.
Subsequently, a district and sessions court in Islamabad set a hearing for the iddat case on June 7, following an appeal by Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, for an expedited hearing. This appeal came a day after the Islamabad High Court transferred the iddat case to another court.
In another recent development, a district and sessions court acquitted Khan and PTI vice-chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi in two cases related to the long march vandalism. Additionally, the Islamabad High Court approved Khan’s bail petition in the £190 million National Crime Agency (NCA) settlement reference on May 16, though he remains in custody for other charges.
