During a press interaction at Adiala Jail on Saturday, Imran Khan, the founder of PTI, articulated a pressing need for justice over repression in Pakistan.
Khan highlighted the distinction between human society and the animal kingdom, stressing that, unlike animals, humans need justice to achieve peace and that true freedom is derived from justice. He urged the nation to demonstrate its commitment to this cause on September 8, framing it as a crucial juncture in the fight for genuine liberty.
Khan recalled efforts to thwart his party’s August 22 rally and expressed concerns over barriers to the upcoming September 8 rally, urging PTI supporters to stand firm for true freedom. He sharply criticized the recent NAB amendments, describing them as a route to national ruin orchestrated by a powerful few who misused their authority to quash billion-dollar cases. According to Khan, such legislative actions are unprecedented and unconstitutional.
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Further illustrating his point, Khan noted that NAB’s effectiveness has declined, contrasting the significant recovery of 480 billion rupees during his tenure with a mere 15 million rupees collected in the past year. He highlighted the plight of many Adiala Jail inmates detained over minor bail or fines they could not afford.
Khan condemned the NAB amendments for favouring certain individuals, allowing those ‘above the law’ to evade accountability. He discussed the leniency shown during the tenures of Musharraf and General (retd) Bajwa, under whom he claimed NAB remained ineffective against notable figures like Zardari and the Sharif family despite clear evidence of corruption.
Proposing reforms, Khan suggested making NAB a truly autonomous body under the supervision of the Supreme Judicial Council. He criticized current NAB officials for their lack of action and wanted to bring legal challenges against them to instil a sense of accountability.