PTI renews bid for relief for Imran Khan, family

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has renewed efforts to secure relief for its jailed founder Imran Khan and his family following the imposition of an emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), according to informed sources.

The party has reportedly approached government officials to seek the release of Imran Khan’s three sisters and the restoration of family meetings with his wife, Bushra Bibi. The renewed efforts come after the party acknowledged that confrontational conduct by its KP leadership may have cost it an important opportunity to secure concessions for the former prime minister and his family.

Sources said PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan had contacted government officials to request the release of Imran Khan’s three sisters, whose 30-day detention period had expired. He also sought the restoration of family visits to Bushra Bibi, including a meeting scheduled for Tuesday.

The party reportedly wants normal access to Bushra Bibi’s family to resume following the tensions surrounding PTI’s protest march. The latest efforts are aimed at easing restrictions affecting Imran Khan and his family after the confrontation between the party and the government.

When contacted for comment, Barrister Gohar declined to discuss the matter, saying he could not speak to the media about it.

Meanwhile, PTI sources acknowledged that the party had missed a significant opportunity to obtain relief for Imran Khan, his sisters and Bushra Bibi during recent contacts with the government.

According to these sources, one of the key reasons for the setback was the aggressive approach adopted by the party’s KP leadership under then chief minister Sohail Afridi. Provincial leaders reportedly continued to believe until the final stage that the federal government would not impose an emergency or take control of the province through governor’s rule.

Some party leaders had expected such a move to trigger a strong public reaction across KP, where PTI has a substantial political support base. They believed that widespread public resistance could force the authorities to reconsider their decision.

However, other party figures who remained in contact with government officials had warned that the decision to impose an emergency was final. They reportedly conveyed that the federal government would not agree to a compromise unless its concerns over the planned protest march and the deteriorating security situation were addressed.

Sources said the provincial leadership underestimated the federal government’s resolve and overestimated its ability to mobilise public support in response to federal intervention. The developments following the imposition of the emergency and governor’s rule on October 11 appear to have reinforced those concerns.

An intelligence report published recently in The News reportedly recorded 16 protest-related events across KP after the federal intervention. The average attendance at these gatherings remained below 100 people, according to the report.

Only one gathering, held in Bara on October 13, attracted more than 500 participants. The gathering was dispersed following police action.

The PTI-led provincial government was suspended after the emergency was imposed and governor’s rule introduced. Sohail Afridi was also reportedly taken into protective custody.

PTI has rejected the federal government’s intervention and challenged its justification, particularly the allegations concerning the provincial administration’s performance in combating terrorism. The party maintains that the measures were politically motivated.

The developments have placed the party under pressure to reassess its strategy as it continues to seek relief for its jailed founder and his family. While efforts to restore family access and secure the release of Imran Khan’s sisters are reportedly continuing, it remains uncertain whether the renewed contacts with the government will produce any concessions.