PTI Warns Imran Khan Anger Could Spiral Into Nationwide Protests
Anger over the continued imprisonment of former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan is nearing a breaking point, with his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) warning that public unrest could soon move beyond calls for peace.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister and senior PTI leader Sohail Afridi on Tuesday warned that growing anger among young Pakistanis could become difficult to control. Speaking outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad, Afridi said he could see a “spark of revolution” in the eyes of the youth and warned that no one may be able to control it.
His remarks came a day after he threatened nationwide protests if Khan is not allowed to meet PTI colleagues at Adiala Jail on Thursday.
Afridi said all PTI parliamentarians would visit the jail to meet Khan. He warned that if authorities prevent the meeting, “entire Pakistan” could turn into D-Chowk, referring to the site of major protests and clashes in Islamabad.
The latest warning marks a sharp escalation in PTI’s confrontation with the government. The party has repeatedly accused authorities of restricting Khan’s access to his family and political colleagues while failing to provide adequate medical care for his reported health problems, including an eye condition.
Khan, 73, has been held at Adiala Jail since 2023 and faces several cases. PTI maintains that he has been unjustly imprisoned in what it describes as fabricated cases.
Afridi also questioned the government’s handling of Khan’s health and said the former premier had never sought release from prison on medical grounds. He argued that authorities should instead ensure that Khan receives proper treatment.
The PTI leader further criticised Pakistan’s judiciary, questioning where ordinary people could turn if judges failed to deliver justice. He said even one judge standing up for justice could encourage others to do the same.
Afridi also issued a warning to those he accused of persecuting Khan, saying they would face consequences when their own turn came.
The remarks add a more confrontational tone to PTI’s campaign over Khan’s imprisonment. What began as a demand for access to a jailed party leader is now becoming a broader challenge to the Shehbaz Sharif government and Pakistan’s judicial system.
PTI has sought to frame the dispute around Khan’s basic rights, visitor access and medical care. But the party’s increasingly forceful warnings raise the prospect of fresh street protests if authorities refuse to allow Thursday’s meeting.