Imran Khan’s Sons Protest Pakistan: PML-N Warning
Imran Khan’s Sons Targeted in Political Crossfire Amidst Unrest Warnings
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Islamabad: The sons of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) patron-in-chief Imran Khan have become the focal point of a heated political exchange, with PML-N leader Azma Bokhari issuing a stern warning against any attempts to incite unrest in the country using the young men. The controversy has escalated following accusations from Imran Khan’s ex-wife, Jemima Goldsmith, that the Pakistani government is preventing her sons from communicating with their father and threatening them with arrest should they visit Pakistan.
Political Accusations fly as Khan’s Sons Become Pawns
Azma Bokhari, a prominent figure in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), directly questioned the timing of Imran Khan’s sons’ alleged interest in Pakistan. “Why did not Khan’s sons visit Pakistan when he was injured? Now suddenly, they are missing Pakistan,” she stated, implying a political motive behind their potential visit. Bokhari further alleged that Jemima has reportedly barred her sons from visiting Pakistan, while simultaneously asserting that “a daughter has every right to meet her father.” the PML-N leader concluded with a pointed warning: “The instigators will not be allowed to use children to spread unrest.”
Jemima Goldsmith’s counter-Allegations
On the other hand, Jemima Goldsmith has publicly accused the Pakistani government of actively obstructing her children’s contact with their father and issuing threats of arrest if they were to travel to Pakistan. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Goldsmith detailed the alleged restrictions. “My children are not allowed to speak on the phone to their father. He has been in solitary confinement in prison for nearly 2 years,” she wrote.
Goldsmith further elaborated on the government’s alleged stance: ”Pakistan’s government has now said if they go there to try to see him, they too will be arrested and put behind bars. This doesn’t happen in a democracy or a functioning state. This isn’t politics. It’s a personal vendetta.” Her statement came in the wake of a warning from PM’s adviser rana Sanaullah, who had indicated that Khan’s sons would face arrest if they participated in any violent PTI protests within Pakistan.
Official Stances and Legal Ramifications
The situation has drawn responses from various government officials and political figures. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim kundi stated that Khan’s children are not exempt from the law. “Khan’s children are not beyond the reach of the law, and if they attempt to take the law into their own hands, they will face legal consequences like any other citizen,” Kundi remarked.
Adding a nuanced viewpoint, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Senator Irfan Siddiqui suggested that while the government might not arrest them upon arrival, the law would inevitably take its course if they were to join any PTI protest movement. “In my personal opinion as the government has so far not taken any official stance, Suleman and Kasim should be allowed to come. They should come and carry out their activities,” Siddiqui commented to a private news channel. He also expressed that Khan’s sons, having spent their lives abroad, would likely understand the boundaries of protests.”From my personal perspective, Khan’s sons should not be deprived of this right. If they want to run a movement for their father, then they should. However, if they come here and cross the limitations of laws they will also come prepared for that, knowing that if we are fighting the laws, then the law will take its course,” Siddiqui added.
Kasim Khan’s Plea for Father
Meanwhile, Kasim Khan recently took to X to express his concern over his father’s isolation. He posted, “He (Imran Khan) is denied access to his lawyers, not allowed visits from his family, fully cut off from us (his children), and even his personal doctor is refused entry. This is not justice. It is a deliberate attempt to isolate and break a man who stood for the rule of law, democracy, and Pakistan.” Kasim has not publicly addressed any intentions of joining political activities in Pakistan.