Aleema Khan, the sister of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, on Saturday, accused their political opponents in the government of manipulating the judiciary and other law enforcement arms to prolong cases.
Speaking to the media outside the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), Aleema voiced frustrations over the slow progress of their cases and the practice of repeatedly adjourning proceedings.
"We come to the court, but the investigation never concludes," she complained, adding that the court keeps adjourning hearings to new dates, but investigators have yet to find any evidence.
Taking aim at Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, she accused them of manipulating appointments in the judiciary.
"A lower-ranking woman was lifted up and appointed the chief justice [of Lahore High Court]," she claimed, adding that several judges were ready to adjudicate their cases and deliver justice, but they were promptly transferred.
Referring to her brother, the PTI founder, Aleema Khan reiterated his stance, "The founder of PTI says that a system of oppression will not continue."
She accused the political leaders in charge of the government of "looting the justice system" and emphasised the need to stand up in defence of judicial integrity.
"It is not about talking to the army, it's about talking to [Chief of Army Staff General Syed] Asim Munir," she stated.
She reiterated the PTI founder's demand to restore his electoral mandate and urged that "the doors for dialogue should not be closed." It is pertinent to note that Imran Khan has often repeated that he has no desire to speak with his political opponents who are currently in power and that he only wants to speak to those in "real" power. However, he has now stated that he will not speak with the Establishment.
Aleema Khan, who holds no official position within the PTI, highlighted the efforts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, stating, "Ali Amin Gandapur is working in difficult circumstances."
Gandapur has come under fire in recent days, first for his disparaging remarks against the chief minister of an adjoining province and for airing intentions to speak with the Taliban without the federation.
She concluded by expressing solidarity with the families of PTI workers currently imprisoned, saying, "We are trying to support the families of the workers who are in jails."