Imran Khan demands fair investigation into violent protests

Lahore: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday demanded fair investigation into the violent protests, saying that the PTI had nothing to do with it.

However, he distanced himself and his party from such protests and expressed regret over them. "I want a fair investigation of all the events that took place after my arrest. Who set these buildings on fire? Why were the youths of his party shot injured? And I want the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) to constitute a committee to investigate all these violent protests," said Khan.

Imran Khan said that he never asked his workers to do violence since he started politics, saying that he believed in the supremacy of the law and the Constitution.

He expressed these words while addressing the workers through YouTube link on Saturday.

The PTI chief asked the workers and supporters to take to the streets on Sunday at 5:30 pm to demonstrate their support for "Haqeeqi Azadi" and for "Constitution."

Khanexpressed disappointment over the damage caused to public and private property during the days he was under arrest. He expressed regret over the performance of the incumbent National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman. He complained that the NAB chairman had issued arrest warrants for him and his wife, which was very painful for him.

Khan told PTI supporters that he had been charged in 145 cases, but he had never considered fleeing the country.

Khan reminded people that freedom cannot be achieved without sacrifice. He also addressed police officers, urging them to fear Allah Almighty and refuse to accept unlawful orders from "handlers." "I know the handlers also call the judges of the courts and hand them over the files. The judges should ask them for their calls and stop listening to them. I also ask the journalists to take a stand and not to hear them. Because the time has come," he added. He stated that he received orders from the court but was still asked to stay there for hours.

Regarding Imran Riaz Khan, the PTI chief questioned his whereabouts. "Imran Riaz Khan was picked up because he was not following their [PDM] line. I fear he could be subjected to torture. I know where he has been kept. If anything happens to him, these people who killed Arshad Sharif or attacked me would be responsible," said Khan. Khan said that the reaction was still small and could have been more significant. He stated that overseas Pakistanis also strongly reacted to his arrest, despite the PTI doing nothing there. "Here, they controlled the people, but the overseas Pakistanis protested," said Khan, adding that the PTI did not do anything in the foreign countries but the overseas Pakistani protested in their favour.

Regarding the Al-Qadir Trust case, Khan said that he and his wife were not beneficiaries of the project, and the cabinet had given its approval. Regarding the violent protests, he said that he was behind bars and was not aware of what had happened.