Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Secretary Information Waqas Akram Sheikh on Friday said that the party’s negotiation process will persist even if founder Imran Khan is sentenced on January 6.
Sheikh added that the call for the civil disobedience campaign originated from Imran. He underscored that the ongoing civil disobedience movement is contingent upon the demands raised during these negotiations.
Currently, the first phase of the movement is underway, targeting Pakistanis living abroad. According to Sheikh, these expatriates’ families are being threatened, and the full impact of the movement will be assessed within the next three months.
The PTI spokesperson said that the civil disobedience movement is not aimed at the country, but rather at the “bogus” government and what he described as an “incompetent” prime minister. He also acknowledged that PTI’s leadership is aware of the hardships the movement might impose on the public. Sheikh criticised the government, asserting that those without a public mandate have been allowed to rule, leading to widespread human rights violations and the military trial of civilians.
He stressed that PTI is a political party, not an armed group, and reaffirmed that the civil disobedience movement will continue without compromise as long as its demands remain unmet.
Addressing speculation, Sheikh denied any arrangement regarding the release of PTI workers from military courts, stressing that their release should not be misconstrued as a goodwill gesture.
In conclusion, he stated that Imran Khan should not face a sentence on January 6, but reiterated that the negotiation process would continue regardless of the court’s decision.
