PESHAWAR: Sohail Afridi, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Tuesday said a proposed “release force” comprising party workers and youth would be formed to secure the release of incarcerated Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), from prison, adding that preparations were underway to mobilise supporters across the province.
Speaking to media representatives, the chief minister said the proposed force would include various wings of the party, including lawyers and youth organisations, and would be activated whenever directions were issued by the PTI founder. He maintained that similar organisational structures already existed in different sectors, such as relief and task forces.
Imran Khan, a former prime minister, has been imprisoned since August 2023 after being convicted in multiple cases, which he and his party describe as politically motivated following his removal from office through a parliamentary vote of no confidence in 2022.
Afridi also criticised the ruling coalition, alleging that those involved in what he termed the “theft of mandate” in the February 8 general elections could not be considered legitimate representatives. He further questioned medical reports issued by the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) regarding Khan’s eye condition, claiming the documents were fabricated.
According to a medical report submitted before the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the PTI founder has been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and has limited vision in his right eye. Government officials, however, maintain that he is receiving appropriate medical treatment.
The announcement of the proposed “Imran Khan Release Force” has triggered debate within PTI ranks. Party Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said he learned about the plan through media reports and suggested it might still be under consideration, adding that existing party organisations were already functioning.
In contrast, an aide to the chief minister, Shafi Ullah Jan, said the force would be established following the chief minister’s announcement and did not require further approval from party bodies.
Meanwhile, reports indicated that PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan had intervened to halt progress on the proposal, warning that creating any entity described as a “force” for political objectives could be viewed as unconstitutional or unlawful. Party sources said he also consulted opposition leaders, including Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Raja Nasir Abbas, to build consensus within the opposition alliance regarding the matter.