LAHORE: Federal Minister for Planning and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, has emphasized that Imran Khan’s release can only occur through legal procedures, asserting that the former prime minister must clear his name in court. Speaking at a press conference in Lahore on Sunday, Iqbal made it clear that any claims of political interference or pressure would not change the legal process.

Iqbal said that Khan’s innocence must be proven in the courts, and his release would depend entirely on the legal relief provided by the judiciary. He added that the government did not have the authority to release Imran Khan through administrative means without him being exonerated of the charges he faces.

Referring to the ongoing political situation, Iqbal pointed out that the public had rejected calls for protests and sit-ins, noting that PTI’s recent demonstration in Lahore was unlikely to succeed. He reminded that the government had not been involved in any actions to obstruct or influence the judicial process but had instead adhered to the law.

The minister also criticized the PTI’s leadership, recalling that during the PTI government’s tenure, members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), including himself, were targets of politically motivated cases. “We did not seek international intervention or beg foreign governments to resolve our political issues. We never took our grievances to international forums like the UN or the British House of Lords,” Iqbal said. He stressed that, despite facing persecution, they chose to fight their battles legally rather than through external influence. On the issue of public safety and law enforcement, Iqbal stated that protecting citizens’ lives and property remained the government’s top priority.

He assured that adequate security measures had been put in place to prevent any lawlessness during demonstrations or protests. Regarding Pakistan’s economic progress, Iqbal expressed confidence in the country’s future, attributing the current economic stability to the government’s effective policies. He revealed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would soon announce a comprehensive five-year economic plan aimed at furthering national development.

However, Iqbal warned that certain elements within PTI were attempting to disrupt the country’s progress for their personal gains by inciting violence and unrest. “PTI wants to create chaos and disturb normal life in the country,” Iqbal asserted. “But we will not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands. The miscreants will face strict action.” In conclusion, Iqbal emphasized that Imran Khan’s legal troubles, including the high-profile Toshakhana and Al-Qadir Trust cases, had solid evidence against him. He accused Khan of using delaying tactics to avoid conviction, knowing that his eventual trial would result in guilty verdicts. Iqbal reiterated that Khan’s release could only be achieved through the legal system and not by mobilizing protests.