Rawalpindi (Web Desk): Uzma Khan, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former premier Imran Khan, has stated that the party’s leadership has explicitly instructed PTI to boycott the upcoming by-elections.
Speaking to the media alongside her sister Aleema Khan outside Adiala Jail, she emphasized that participating in the by-elections would only legitimize unfair disqualifications and cause further harm to the party.
Uzma Khan said that while there may be internal disagreements within the party, Imran Khan’s directive remains clear: PTI should refrain from contesting the by-elections.
“When we met the chairman, he made it clear that the elections should be boycotted,” she stated.
The Khan sisters added that the former premier believes that contesting the elections would neither benefit the party nor its supporters. Instead, it would only serve to formalize the election commission’s unjust decisions and damage PTI’s position further.
“In the current political climate, participating in these polls is a mistake because we won’t be allowed to win, and ‘selected’ candidates will be ensured victory,” they said quoting the PTI founder.
Addressing questions about internal disputes, particularly regarding PTI’s lawyer Salman Akram Raja, Aleema Khan clarified that there was no personal conflict. She described Salman Akram Raja as a close party and family ally and urged inquiries about his situation to be directed to the relevant political committee.
Responding to recent arrests within the party, Aleema Khan voiced strong criticism, particularly about the detention of hersons.
“There was no justification for taking my children. If anyone is to be arrested, it should be me,” she said, accusing the government of being fearful—even of children.
When a journalist asked if there was a divergence between Imran Khan’s stance and that of the party regarding the by-elections, Aleema Khan insisted that any message conveyed by the family on behalf of Imran Khan represents his official position. She described the nature of the question as inappropriate and “malicious.”
Repeating the stance concluding the media talk, Uzma Khan reiterated Imran Khan’s position firmly, stressing that under the current circumstances, contesting the by-elections would be a strategic error given the biased political environment.